• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.76-85
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to overview the studies of acupuncture treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease. Methods: In order to investigate the effect of acupuncture treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease, we searched relevant studies in Pubmed, Cochrane, Oasis, Korean studies Information Service System up to March 2019. After searching studies, we analyzed selected studies. Results: Five studies were included in this review. There were 1 randomized controlled studies and 4 before and after studies. The outcome measurement of pelvic inflammatory disease was divided into effective rate, physical examination, response, hematological parameter, pain. The acupuncture treatment was effective in improving pelvic inflammatory disease. Conclusions: This study shows that acupuncture treatment is one of effective treatment methods for pelvic inflammatory disease. Further large randomized placebo controlled trials will be needed.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2021

Gryllus bimaculatus extract (GbE) have reported that anti-inflammatory activity by suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, the effects of fermented Gryllus bimaculatus extract (FGbE) have not yet been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkle effect of the fermented Gryllus bimaculatus extracts using Bacillus subtilis (JB PMB-18) in RAW264.7 cells. Both GbE and FGbE exerted no cytotoxic effects until 1000 ㎍/mL concentration. FGbE decreased NO production and decreased iNOS and COX-2 mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the protein production of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 was effectively reduced compared to the GbE. Inhibitory activities of elastase and collagenase associated with skin wrinkle improvement were measured to be 45% and 69%, respectively, at a concentration of 500 ㎍/mL in FGbE. From these results, FGbE can be used as a health functional food and skin functional cosmetic materials for preventing inflammatory diseases because it has excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkle effects.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Macrophage is an important innate immune cell that not only initiates inflammatory responses, but also functions in tissue repair and anti-inflammatory responses. Regulating macrophage activity is thus critical to maintain immune homeostasis. Tyro3, Axl, and Mer are integral membrane proteins that constitute TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Growing evidence indicates that TAM family receptors play an important role in anti-inflammatory responses through modulating the function of macrophages. First, macrophages can recognize apoptotic bodies through interaction between TAM family receptors expressed on macrophages and their ligands attached to apoptotic bodies. Without TAM signaling, macrophages cannot clear up apoptotic cells, leading to broad inflammation due to over-activation of immune cells. Second, TAM signaling can prevent chronic activation of macrophages by attenuating inflammatory pathways through particular pattern recognition receptors and cytokine receptors. Third, TAM signaling can induce autophagy which is an important mechanism to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. Fourth, TAM signaling can inhibit polarization of M1 macrophages. In this review, we will focus on mechanisms involved in how TAM family of RTKs can modulate function of macrophage associated with anti-inflammatory responses described above. We will also discuss several human diseases related to TAM signaling and potential therapeutic strategies of targeting TAM signaling.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1079-1087
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• 2021

Gentisic acid (GA), a benzoic acid derivative present in various food ingredients, has been shown to have diverse pharmaceutical activities such as anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects. In this study, we used a co-culture system to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic effects of GA on macrophages and adipocytes, respectively, as well as its effect on obesity-related chronic inflammation. We found that GA effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses by controlling the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating inflammation-related protein pathways. GA treatment also inhibited lipid accumulation in adipocytes by modulating the expression of major adipogenic transcription factors and their upstream protein pathways. Furthermore, in the macrophage-adipocyte co-culture system, GA decreased the production of obesity-related cytokines. These results indicate that GA possesses effective anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic activities and may be used in developing treatments for the management of obesity-related chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.238-244
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• 2020

Yangdan-tang (YD) is recorded as a treatment to treat exterior-related fever illness in the Korean medicine. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of YD, using YD water extract and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. First of all, we measured the amount of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), the products of inflammatory metabolism. Also, we measured enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). YD suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 in a dose dependent manner and reduced the amount of protein and the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2. Also, YD reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1α and IL-1β. In conclusion, YD decreased production of LPS-induced inflammatory factor, which could be a clinical basic subject for inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.319-325
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• 2020

Mahwanghangingamchosukgo-tang (MH) is recorded as a treatment to treat exterior-related respiratory diseases in the Korean medicine. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of MH, using MH water extract and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. First of all, we measured the amount of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), the products of inflammatory metabolism. Also, we measured enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). MH suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 in a dose dependent manner and reduced the amount of protein and the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2. Also, MH reduced the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1α and IL-1β. In conclusion, MH decreased production of LPS-induced inflammatory factor, which could be a clinical basic subject for inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.465-473
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• 2020

Background and objective: Aronia melanocarpa, called black chokeberry, is a natural product belonging to the family rosaceae, and is known to contain polyphenolic antioxidants including cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-xyloside, and cyanidin-3-glucoside Because of the abundance of anthocyanins, Aronia has been studied to be used in various industries. Methods: Aronia melanocarpa extract was treated 24 hours a day to RAW 264.7 cells with inflammations induced by LPS. After extracting total RNA, the amount of inflammatory cytokine expression was measured using RT-PCR. After processing the Aronia liposome using Aronia extract and the layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition method in keratinocyte cells at the same time, we checked the synthesis of Hyaluronic acid enhanced through the formation of Aronia liposome using ELISA. Results: The treatment of Aronia extract in inflammation-induced RAW 264.7 cells conducted to check the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Aronia extract inhibited inflammatory cytokines including TLR4, TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS and increased the mRNA expression of HAS2 genes related to moisturizing. Based on the anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effect of Aronia extract, the Aronia liposome technology was introduced to Aronia extract to produce Aronia liposome. Conclusion: The liposome formation of Aronia extract is expected to be used as a functional material in treating various inflammatory skin diseases by controlling the moisture content of the corneocytes by increasing the expression rate of genes associated with the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, while retaining the efficacy of its components.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2022

Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae family) is widely used in the European countries and the United States due to its proven immune enhancement and anti-inflammatory effects. Echinacea purpurea has been reported prevent and treat upper respiratory tract infections and common cold, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of Echinacea purpurea (EP) extract using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated signal pathways in RAW264.7 cells. Our results suggest that EP extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects by down-regulating the expression of LPS-induced toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), subsequently inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and suppression of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that EP extract is a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.473-483
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• 2023

Many cancers arise from sites of chronic inflammation, which creates an inflammatory microenvironment surrounding the tumor. Inflammatory substances secreted by cells in the inflammatory environment can induce the proliferation and survival of cancer cells, thereby promoting cancer metastasis and angiogenesis. Therefore, it is important to identify the role of inflammatory factors in cancer progression. This review summarizes the signaling pathways and roles of C-reactive protein (CRP) in various cancer types, including breast, liver, renal, and pancreatic cancer, and the tumor microenvironment. Mounting evidence suggests the role of CRP in breast cancer, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is typically associated with a worse prognosis. Increased CRP in the inflammatory environment contributes to enhanced invasiveness and tumor formation in TNBC cells. CRP promotes endothelial cell formation and angiogenesis and contributes to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In pancreatic and kidney cancers, CRP contributes to tumor progression. In liver cancer, CRP regulates inflammatory responses and lipid metabolism. CRP modulates the activity of various signaling molecules in macrophages and monocytes present in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to tumor development, the immune response, and inflammation. In the present review, we overviewed the role of CRP signaling pathways and the association between inflammation and cancer in various types of cancer. Identifying the interactions between CRP signaling pathways and other inflammatory mediators in cancer progression is crucial for understanding the complex relationship between inflammation and cancer.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2023

Pu-erh tea, a popular and traditional Chinese tea, possesses various health-promoting effects, including inhibiting tumor cell progression and preventing type II diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the precise anti-inflammatory mechanisms are not well understood. In present study, we elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pu-erh tea in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. We explored the effects of Pu-erh tea on the levels of inflammatory-related genes, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, we investigated its regulatory effects on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF)-κB and hypoxia-inducible-factor (HIF)-1α activation. The findings of this study demonstrated that Pu-erh tea inhibited the LPS-increased inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂ release, as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression. Moreover, we confirmed that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pu-erh tea occurs via the inhibition of NF-κB and HIF-1α activation. Conclusively, these findings provide experimental evidence that Pu-erh tea may be useful candidate in the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.