• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2023

Background: Commensal bacteria play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and probiotics have been used as treatment options. We aimed to explore the current use of probiotics and factors associated with their prescription in patients with IBD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a single hospital-based cohort. Patients were eligible if they were ≥18 years old, visited the IBD clinic as an outpatient more than twice during the study period, and had a confirmed diagnosis of IBD. Patients were divided into two groups based on the prescription of probiotics. Clinical assessments were compared between the two groups. Results: In total, 217 patients were enrolled in this study. In patients with Crohn disease (CD), moderate or severe abdominal pain; prior use of methotrexate (MTX), iron, thiopurines, or biologics; history of IBD-related surgery; and stool frequency were independently associated with the prescription of probiotics. In patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), moderate or severe abdominal pain, hematochezia, stool frequency, and moderate or severe physician global assessment score were independently associated with the prescription of probiotics. Conclusion: Increased disease activity may be associated with fewer prescriptions of probiotics in patients with IBD. However, physicians prescribed probiotics to control symptoms, such as abdominal pain and increased stool frequency in patients with UC and CD, and hematochezia in patients with UC. Additionally, the use of MTX and iron, and a history of IBD-related surgeries were associated with more frequent probiotic prescriptions in patients with CD.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.216-224
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• 2024

The reduction of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in the endothelium induces endothelial dysfunction, contributing to the development of hypertension. Although Lactobacillus consumption decreases blood pressure, intracellular signaling pathways related to hypertension have not been well elucidated. Thus, this study examined the effect of spray-dried Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K79 (LpK79) on NO production, intracellular signaling pathways, and inflammatory responses related to vascular function and hypertension. NO production was assessed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with LpK79. Endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and intracellular signaling molecules were determined using Western blot analysis. LpK79 dose-dependently increased NO production and activated eNOS via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway HUVECs. Moreover, LpK79 mitigated the activation of crucial factors pivotal for vascular contraction in smooth muscle cells, such as phospholipase Cγ, myosin phosphatase target subunit 1, and Rho-associated kinase 2. When HUVECs were treated with LpL79 in the presence of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LpK79 effectively suppressed mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators induced by E. coli LPS. These results suggest that LpK79 provided a beneficial effect on the regulation of vascular endothelial function.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.545-546
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• 2018

With emerging evidence on the importance of non-cell autonomous toxicity in neurodegenerative diseases, therapeutic strategies targeting modulation of key immune cells. including microglia and Treg cells, have been designed for treatment of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. Strategy switching the patient's environment from a pro-inflammatory toxic to an anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective condition, could be potential therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) regulate innate and adaptive immune cells, through release of soluble factors such as $TGF-{\beta}$ and elevation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper-2 cells (Th2 cells), would play important roles, in the neuroprotective effect on motor neuronal cell death mechanisms in ALS. Single cycle of repeated intrathecal injections of BM-MSCs demonstrated a clinical benefit lasting at least 6 months, with safety, in ALS patients. Cytokine profiles of CSF provided evidence that BM-MSCs, have a role in switching from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory conditions. Inverse correlation of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and MCP-1 levels, could be a potential biomarker to responsiveness. Thus, additional cycles of BM-MSC treatment are required, to confirm long-term efficacy and safety.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2014

In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of Rumex crispus L. and its fractions were investigated in RAW 264.7 macrophages. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of extract, we studied nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) levels in RAW 264.7 cells. The ethanol extract of R. crispus L. significantly decreased NO production and the levels of other inflammatory factors, such as PGE2 and $TNF-{\alpha}$, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. We also assessed the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein expression by western blot. Ethyl acetate fraction of R. crispus L. had the strongest anti-inflammatory effect. These results suggest that ethyl acetate extract of R. crispus L. might be beneficial in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2013

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of oyster shell extract on the production of pro-inflammatory factors [NO, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2)] and pro-inflammatory cytokines [Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TNF-${\alpha}$] in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Cell viability, as measured by the MTT assay, showed that oyster shell extract had no significant cytotoxicity in Raw 264.7 cells. The treatment with oyster shell extract decreased the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species dose dependently and increased antioxidant enzyme activities, such as SOD, catalase, GSH-px in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. Oyster shell extract significantly suppressed the production of NO and also decreased the expressions of iNOS, COX-2 and NF-${\kappa}B$. Additionally, oyster shell extract significantly inhibited the production of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Thus, these results showed that the oyster shell extract had an anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2020

Objectives This study intended to evaluate antioxidative, anti-inflammatory effects of Jibaekjihwang-tang on monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritic rat model and investigate the potential mechanism. Methods Jibaekjihwang-tang (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered once daily for 2 weeks days from day 7 after intra-articular MIA injection. And blood analysis, the histologic examinations were performed. Moreover, protein expressions related to anti-oxidant and cartilage degradation and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured by western blot analysis in cartilaginous tissue. Results Jibaekjihwang-tang reduced serum inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necosis factors-α and interleukin-6. Furthermore, the increase of anti-oxidant enzymes reversed the oxidative stress caused by MIA. Meanwhile, Jibaekjihwang-tang suppressed MIA-induced inflammation and cartilage degradation in cartilaginous tissue. Conclusions Jibaekjihwang-tang alleviated MIA-induced inflammation. Jibaekjihwang-tang was associated with a protective effect on cartilage and by reducing inflammation and cartilage degradation. These findings provide new approaches for understanding osteoarthritis therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.399-404
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• 2011

In this study, powder of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (O. japonicus) was extracted with 95% ethyl alcohol and fractionated using a series of organic solvents, including n-hexane (hexane), dichloromethane (DCM), ethylacetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (BuOH), and water ($H_2O$). We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of these O. japonicus extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Their effects on the expression of inflammatory mediators and transcription factors were analyzed by Western blotting. DCM fraction significantly inhibited formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Phosphorylation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor complex nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}$B) p65 and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), one of its downstream proteins, were also suppressed by DCM fraction. These effects were regulated by upsteam proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. Taken together, our data suggest that O. japonicus could be used as a potential source for anti-inflammatory agents.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2009

Equisetum hyemale Linne. (EH) (Equisetaceae) has been used for the treatment of eye and skin disease, chronic eczema, pneumoconiosis and asthma in Korea and China. Human leukemic mast cells are widely distributed in the connective tissues of mammals and other vertebrates. Phorbol 12-myristrate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187 stimulated Human leukaemic mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) can produce a variety of inflammatory mediators and several pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8. Since TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 are major factors during the inflammatory process, we studied the effects of EH on TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 release in HMC-1 stimulated with PMA and A23187. The result of this study indicate that EH inhibits TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 in activated HMC-1 cells via $I{\kappa}B$/Nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ pathway. Therefore, EH might contribute significantly to the prevention or treatment of mast-cell mediated inflammatory diseases and EH has potential use in the therapy of chronic allergic inflammation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 2013

The present study was designed to determine the effect of the Sandalwood Essential Oil (Santalum album) on pro-inflammatory factors such as NO, iNOS expression and IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages cells. The cell toxicity was determined by MTS assay. To evaluate of anti-inflammatory effect of Sandalwood Essential Oil, amount of NO was measured using the NO detection kit and the iNOS expression was measured by western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. As a result, Sandalwood Essential Oil reduced NO, iNOS expression and IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ production without cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that the Sandalwood Essential Oil may have an anti-inflammatory property through suppressing inflammatory mediator productions and appears to be useful as an anti-inflammatory oil.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.15-22
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• 2007

Increasing evidence indicates that microglia-driven chronic inflammatory responses playa pathological role in the central nervous system. Activation of microglia is pivotal in the initiation and progression of neuroinflammation. Inhibition of the microglial activation may provide an effective therapeutic intervention that alleviates the progression of the neurodegenerative diseases. Anti-inflammatory agents may be a useful candidate for such a therapeutic approach. Continual investigation of the mechanisms underlying microglial activation and regulation of neuroinflammation by endogenous or exogenous factors would not only lead to the discovery of novel neuroprotective agents, but also help to understand complex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.