• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.876-882
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• 2016

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Corni fructus extracts (CEF, EtOAc extraction; CBF, buthanol extraction; CWF, water extraction) were investigated. The total phenolics of CEF (173.3 mg TAE/g) were significantly higher than those of CWF (26.7 mg TAE/g) and CBF (94.8 mg TAE/g). DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity of CEF (DPPH: $RH_{50}$; $25.1{\mu}g/mL$, ABTS: $RC_{50}$; $36.1{\mu}g/mL$) showed even higher than that of BHA and ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ used as positive control. All three Corni fructus extracts in the concentration of $1{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$ were effective inhibitors of NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). NO production was inhibited 71.3~92.2% by CEF, 76.8~85.5% by CBF and 74.4~96.9% by CWF, respectively. CEF, CBF and CWF ($1{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$) inhibited also pro-inflammatory cytokines like $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 very effectively. $TNF-{\alpha}$ was inhibited up to 51.2% by CWF and $IL-1{\beta}$ was inhibited up to 67.1% by CEF. IL-6 was best inhibited by CEF up to 58.9%. This study suggested the potential of Corni fructus for use as an excellent antioxidant substance and inflammatory inhibiting mediators. Therefore CEF, CBF and CWF Corni fructus extracts may be used for therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1622-1627
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• 2004

Nephrite has been widely used as a medicinal mineral resource to treat a numerous chronic diseases and to replenish vital essence and blood in the Korean traditional medicine. However, as of yet, there is little understanding of the pharmacological and biochemical mechanisms of its therapeutic effects as regards anti-inflammation. We therefore examined whether nephrite represses the expression of major inflammation mediators, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in LPS-stimulated murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7 by using RT-PCR. The powder suspension and water extracts of nephrite significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of the mediators, despite a little toxic effects on growth of RAW 264.7 cells within the concentration range tested. These experimental results suggested that the nephrite can be utilized as a functional mineral exerting the anti-inflammation medicinal effect.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.187-199
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• 1999

Bone remodeling is characterized by the continuing processes of osteoblast-mediated bone formation and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Bone metabolism is tightly regulated at the local level by networks of hormones, cytokines, and other factors. In pathological conditions of bone remodeling, including osteoporosis and periodontal diseases, inflammatory cytokines and local mediators are responsible for enhancement of osteoclast resorption and inhibition of repair at the sites of bone resorption. TNF-${\alpha}$ is a pleiotropic hormone with actions on the differentiation, growth, and functional activities of normal and malignant cells from numerous tissues. TNF-${\alpha}$ has been proposed as a local mediator of the control of bone turnover in situations of chronic inflammation, and it has been assumed that the local source of TNF-${\alpha}$ is the monocyte in the adjacent bone marrow or the local circulation. TNF-${\alpha}$ is a potent inducer of bone resorption. TNF-${\alpha}$ is known to induce the activation of apoptotic signaling pathway, which leads to the apoptosis of bone cells. We demonstrated that treatment of murine osteoblastic MC3T3E1 cells with TNF-${\alpha}$ decreases proliferation as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in a dose depenent manner. In addition, TNF-${\alpha}$ increases osteoclast-like cell formation in $1{\alpha}$, 25(OH)2D3 or PGE2-treated bone marrow cell culture. When cells were cultured in TNF-${\alpha}$ free ${\alpha}$-MEM, this inhibitory effect of ALP activity was reversible up to 10 ng/ml TNF-${\alpha}$, in contrast, at the 20 ng/ml TNF-${\alpha}$, irreversible. In this concentration, TNF-${\alpha}$ may induce apoptosis in MC3T3E1 cells. In this study, TNF-${\alpha}$ induces apoptosis resulting in chromosomal DNA fragmentation, preceded by JNK/SAPKs and caspase-3 activation. Our present results show that JNK/SAPKs and caspase-3 are activated by TNF-${\alpha}$, suggesting that the JNK/SAPKs and caspase-3 participate in the bone resorption, associated with apoptosis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.471-481
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• 2017

Objectives : Noemyeong-san (NMS) is a novel herbal prescription composed of five oriental medicinal herbs including Prunellae Spica, Betulae Cortex, Foeniculi Fructus, Asiasari Radix, and Clematidis Radix for treating Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of NMS on BV2 microglia to evaluate the potential action of this formula for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. Methods : To determine the cytotoxicity of NMS on BV2 microglia, the MTT assay was performed. The effects of NMS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay and western blots for inflammatory mediator-related proteins, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) pathway-related proteins, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Result : NMS inhibited induction of iNOS and COX-2 as well as NO production without affecting the cell viability in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia. NMS also suppressed activation of ERK and p38 MAPK among main kinases of MAPKs as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ by LPS stimulation. Furthermore, NMS dose-dependently induced the expression of HO-1 and the inhibitory effect of NMS on the production of NO were blocked by pretreatment with an HO-1 inhibitor, Snpp. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that NMS has potent anti-neuroinflammatory effect on the LPS-stimulated microglia. These findings provide evidences for NMS to be considered as a new prescription for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.183-210
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• 1998

Cheonggisan(CGS) is well known for its effect on such allergic disease as urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Gagamcheonggisan(GCGS) was formulated by subtracting several herbs from CGS and adding several herbs to CGS. Even though it is being used frequently in the clinicai medicine for the treatment of above hypersensitivity diseases, basic study to make sure the mechanism of its action is rare. In this study the author tried to know the effect of CGS and GCGS on the vascular permeability, contact dermatitis, granular secretion from mast cells and function of macrophages. The results obtained in this study are as follows : 1. Administration of CGS and GCGS decreased the vascular permeability induced by serotonin and histamine. The decrease by serotonin is more typical and dose-dependent. 2. Administration of CGS and GCGS inhibited foot-pad and ear swelling responses induced by sheep red blood cells and picryl chloride respectively, the inhibition of foot-pad swelling responses is bigger than that of ear swelling responses and both of them are not dependent on the dose3. Treatment of peritoneal mast cells with CGS and GCGS water extract decreased the histamine release triggered by compound 48／80 in a dose dependent fashion 4. Administration of CGS and GCGS increased the phagocvtic activity of peritoneal macrophages and treatment of peritoneal macrophages with CGS activated phagocytic function in a dose dependent fashion. 5. Administration of CGS and GCGS enhanced such reactive oxygen intermediates(ROIs) as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production from peritoneal macrophages. 6. Treatment of CGS and GCGS activated peritoneal macrophages for the production of ROIs. The above results show that CGS and GCGS decreased the hypersensitivity reactions by inhibiting non-specific inflammatory mediator release and vascular permeability without affecting general immune responsiveness.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.310-320
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• 2017

Ginseng has been widely used for traditional medicine in eastern Asia and is known to have inhibitory effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. Because, platelet is a crucial mediator of CVD, many studies are focusing on inhibitory mechanism of platelet functions. Among platelet activating molecules, thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) and P-selectin play a central role in CVD. $TXA_2$ leads to intracellular signaling cascades and P-selectin plays an important role in platelet-neutrophil and platelet-monocyte interactions leading to the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory mechanisms of total saponin fraction from Korean red ginseng (KRG-TS) on $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression. Thrombin-elevated $TXA_2$ production and arachidonic acid release were decreased by KRG-TS dose (25 to $150{\mu}g/mL$)-dependently via down regulation of microsomal cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), $TXA_2$ synthase (TXAS) activity and dephosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$). In addition, KRG-TS suppressed thrombin-activated P-selectin expression, an indicator of granule release via dephosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Taken together, we revealed that KRG-TS is a beneficial novel compound inhibiting $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression, which may prevent platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 1997

Lipocortin 1 has been proposed as a putative mediator of anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids. We investigated the role of lipocortin 1 in the effect of dexamethasone using rat splenic leukocytes. Concanavalin A(ConA; 1 ${\mu}g/ml$) increased the leukocyte proliferation and nitric oxide(NO) generation, which were measured as $[^3H]-thymidine$ uptake by the cells and nitrite accumulation in the culture media, respectively. Dexamethasone suppressed ConA-induced cell proliferation, in a concentration-dependent manner with $EC_{50}$ around 50nM. The addition of anti-lipocortin l(Anti-LCl) reversed dexamethasone effects: 0.24, 1.2, 6 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Anti-LC1 reversed dexamethasone(50 nM)-induced suppression of thymidine uptake by $9{\pm}3%$, $16{\pm}3%$, $36{\pm}5%$, respectively; 0.24, 1.2, and 6 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Anti-LCI reversed dexa-methasone-induced decrease of nitrite concentration by $49{\pm}16%$, $61{\pm}20%$, $77{\pm}19%$, respectively. The present data indicate that lipocortin 1 mediates, at least in part, glucocorticoids-induced suppression of leukocyte proliferation and blockade of NO generation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.468-478
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• 2017

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Douchi Hataedock on Th2-skewed conditions to control allergic rhinitis. Methods: NC/Nga mice were divided into three groups: 10 mice were assigned to the control group (CTRL; no treatment), 10 mice to allergic rhinitis-induced (ARE) without treatment group, and 10 mice to the allergic rhinitis-induced (FGT) after Douchi Hataedock treatment group. The 3-week-old mice of the FGT group were given one 10 mg/kg dose of Douchi Hataedock extract and resensitized to allergic antigens at weeks four, five, and six. Allergic rhinitis was induced primarily in mice nasal cavities for five days after one week of final sensitization. The second induction used the same method one week after the first induction was completed. After one week, the nasal mucosal tissues of each group were observed. Immunohistochemical staining for IL-4, STAT6, CD40, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, substance P, MMP-9, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, p-IkB, and iNOS in the nasal mucosa was also performed. Results: The FGT group had less respiratory epithelial damage and less mucin secretion in goblet cells than the ARE group and showed a 62% decrease in IL-4, 85% decrease in STAT6, 71% decrease in CD40, 69% decrease in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, 43% decrease in substance P, 49% decrease in MMP-9, 43% decrease in NF-kB p65, 38% decrease in p-IkB, and 73% decrease in iNOS compared to the ARE group. Conclusions: Douchi Hataedock lessens inflammation in epithelial and goblet cells and reduces inflammatory mediator secretion in a mouse allergic rhinitis model.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2010

The evaluation of eye and skin irritation potential is essential to ensuring the safety of human in contact with a wide variety of substances. Despite this importance of irritation test, little is known with respect to the irritation potency of lomefloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, which has been known to cause phototoxicity with an abnormal reaction of the skin. Thus, to investigate the tendency of lomefloxacin to cause eye and skin irritation, we carried out in vitro eye irritation test using Balb/c 3T3, and in vitro skin irritation test using $KeraSkin^{TM}$ human skin model system. 3T3 neutral red uptake assay has been proposed as a potential replacement alternative for the Draize Eye irritation test. In this study, the $IC_{50}$ value obtained for lomefloxacin was 375 ${\mu}g$. According to the classification model used for determining in vitro categories, lomefloxacin was classified as moderately irritant. For evaluation of skin irritation, engineered epidermal equivalents ($KeraSkin^{TM}$) were subjected to 10 and 25 mg of lomefloxacin for 15 minutes. Tissue damage was assessed by tissue viability evaluation, and by the release of a pro-inflammatory mediator, interleukin- 1${\alpha}$. Lomefloxacin increased the interleukin-1${\alpha}$ release after 15 minutes of exposure and 42 hours of post incubation, although no decrease in viability was observed. Therefore, lomefloxacin is considered to be moderately irritant to skin and eye.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.599-607
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• 2009

Prunellae Spica is the spike or whole plant of Prunella vulgaris Linne, which has been used for clearing heat from the liver, brightening the eyes and treating headache in traditional oriental medicines. This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the aqueous extract of Prunellae Spica (PSE; PS extract) on the production of NO and PGE2 in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, and all three doses of PS extract (0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/ml) had no significant cytotoxicity during the entire experimental period. The cells were treated with 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ of LPS 1 h before adding PS extract, and increased NO and PGE2 production were detected in LPS-activated cells compared to control. However, these increases were dose-dependently attenuated by treatment with PS extract. The inhibition of NO by PS extract was due to the suppression of iNOS expression via inhibition of $NF{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and proteolytic degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. The decreased level of PGE2 was derived from inhibition of COX-2 activity, but expression of COX-2 protein was not affected by PS extract. Moreover, PS extract reduced the elevated production of IL-${\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS. These results demonstrate that PS extract has inhibitory effects on the production of NO and PGE2 as a consequence of the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, especially IL-${\beta}$ and IL-6 in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells.