• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제62권1호
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• pp.53-63
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• 2024

The intracellular parasite Babesia microti is among the most significant species causing human babesiosis and is an emerging threat to human health worldwide. Unravelling the pathogenic molecular mechanisms of babesiosis is crucial in developing new diagnostic and preventive methods. This study assessed how priming with B. microti surface antigen 1 (BHSA 1) and seroreactive antigen 5-1-1 (BHSA 5-1-1) mediate protection against B. microti infection. The results showed that 500 ㎍/ml rBMSA1 and rBMSA5-1-1 partially inhibited the invasion of B. microti in vitro by 42.0±3.0%, and 48.0±2.1%, respectively. Blood smears revealed that peak infection at 7 days post-infection (dpi) was 19.6%, 24.7%, and 46.7% in the rBMSA1, rBmSA5-1-1, compared to the control groups (healthy mice infected with B. microti only), respectively. Routine blood tests showed higher white blood cell, red blood cell counts, and haemoglobin levels in the 2 groups (BMSA1 and BMSA5 5-1-1) than in the infection control group at 0-28 dpi. Moreover, the 2 groups had higher serum interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-17A levels, and lower IL-10 levels than the infection control group throughout the study. These 2 potential vaccine candidate proteins partially inhibit in vitro and in vivo B. microti infection and enhance host immunological response against B. microti infection.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제67권3호
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• pp.333-344
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• 2024

Objective : Markers of neuroinflammation during ischemic stroke are well characterized, but additional markers of neural damage are lacking. The study identified associations of behavioral disorders after stroke with histologic neural damage and molecular biological change. Methods : Eight-week-old, 25 g male mice of the C57BL/6J strain were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to induce ischemic stroke. The control group was a healthy wild type (WT), and the experimental group were designed as a low severity MCAO1 and a high severity MCAO2 based on post-stroke neurological scoring. All groups underwent behavioral tests, realtime polymerase chain reaction, triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze statistical significance between groups. Results : In TTC staining, MCAO1 showed 29.02% and MCAO2 showed 38.94% infarct volume (p<0.0001). The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (WT 0.44 vs. MCAO1 2.69 vs. MCAO2 5.02, p<0.0001). From the distance to target in the Barnes maze test, WT had a distance of 178 cm, MCAO1 had a distance of 276 cm, and MCAO2 had a distance of 1051 (p=0.0015). The latency to target was 13.3 seconds for WT, 27.9 seconds for MCAO1, and 87.9 seconds for MCAO2 (p=0.0007). Prospero homeobox 1 (Prox1) was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (p=0.0004). Doublecortin (Dcx) was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (p<0.0001). Conclusion : The study demonstrated that histological damage to neural cells and changes in brain mRNA expression were associated with behavioral impairment after ischemic stroke. Prox1 and Dcx may be biomarkers of neural damage associated with long-term cognitive decline, and increased expression at the mRNA level was consistent with neural damage and long-term cognitive dysfunction.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.952-961
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• 2024

Objective: Stocking density (SD) is an important issue in the poultry industry, which is related to the production performance, intestinal health and immune status. In the present study, the effects of SD on the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid as well as the related functions of the liver and kidney in ducks were examined. Methods: A total of 360 healthy 56-day-old Shan-ma ducks were randomly divided into the low stocking density (n = 60, density = 5 birds/m²), medium stocking density (n = 120, density = 10 birds/m²) and high stocking density groups (HSD; n = 180, density = 15 birds/m²). Samples were collected in the 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks of the experiment for analysis. Results: The serum levels of uric acid, lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) were increased significantly in the HSD group. Serious histopathological lesions could be seen in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group in the 9th week. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) and related pathway components (toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, and nuclear factor-κB) were increased significantly in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group. The mRNA expression levels of enzymes (adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase, and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1) related to the synthesis of uric acid increased significantly in the livers in the HSD group. However, the mRNA expression level of solute carrier family 2 member 9, which plays an important role in the excretion of uric acid by the kidney, was decreased significantly in the kidneys in the HSD group. Conclusion: These results indicated that a higher SD could cause tissue inflammatory lesions in the liver and kidney and subsequently affect the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid, and is helpful for guiding decisions related to the breeding and production of ducks.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제87권1호
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• pp.65-79
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• 2024

Background: Exhaled condensates contain inflammatory biomarkers; however, their roles in the clinical field have been under-investigated. Methods: We prospectively enrolled subjects admitted to pulmonology clinics. We collected exhaled breath condensates (EBC) and analysed the levels of six and 12 biomarkers using conventional and multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: Among the 123 subjects, healthy controls constituted the largest group (81 participants; 65.9%), followed by the preserved ratio impaired spirometry group (21 patients; 17.1%) and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) group (21 patients; 17.1%). In COPD patients, platelet derived growth factor-AA exhibited strong positive correlations with COPD assessment test (ρ=0.5926, p=0.0423) and COPD-specific version of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) score (total, ρ=0.6725, p=0.0166; activity, ρ=0.7176, p=0.0086; and impacts, ρ=0.6151, p=0.0333). Granzyme B showed strong positive correlations with SGRQ-C score (symptoms, ρ=0.6078, p=0.0360; and impacts, ρ=0.6007, p=0.0389). Interleukin 6 exhibited a strong positive correlation with SGRQ-C score (activity, ρ=0.4671, p=0.0378). The absolute serum eosinophil and basophil counts showed positive correlations with pro-collagen I alpha 1 (ρ=0.6735, p=0.0164 and ρ=0.6295, p=0.0283, respectively). In healthy subjects, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity demonstrated significant correlation with CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3)/macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (ρ=0.3897 and p=0.0068). FEV₁ exhibited significant correlation with CCL11/eotaxin (ρ=0.4445 and p=0.0017). Conclusion: Inflammatory biomarkers in EBC might be useful to predict quality of life concerning respiratory symptoms and serologic markers. Further studies are needed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.43.1-43.14
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• 2021

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), which express IL-22 and IL-17A, has been introduced as one of pathologic cells in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Dyslipidaemia should be managed in axSpA patients to reduce cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidaemia promotes inflammation. This study aimed to reveal the role of circulating ILC3 in axSpA and the impact of dyslipidaemia on axSpA pathogenesis. AxSpA patients with or without dyslipidaemia and healthy control were recruited. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and flow cytometry analysis of circulating ILC3 and CD4⁺ T cells was performed. The correlation between Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and circulating immune cells was evaluated. The effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (oxLDL-C) on immune cell differentiation was confirmed. AxSpA human monocytes were cultured with with oxLDL-C, IL-22, or oxLDL-C plus IL-22 to evaluate osteoclastogenesis using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and real-time quantitative PCR of osteoclast-related gene expression. Total of 34 axSpA patients (13 with dyslipidaemia and 21 without) were included in the analysis. Circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 and Th17 were significantly elevated in axSpA patients with dyslipidaemia (p=0.001 and p=0.034, respectively), and circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 significantly correlated with ASDAS-CRP (Rho=0.4198 and p=0.0367). Stimulation with oxLDL-C significantly increased IL-22⁺ ILC3, NKp44^- ILC3, and Th17 cells, and these were reversed by CD36 blocking agent. IL-22 and oxLDL-C increased TRAP⁺ cells and osteoclast-related gene expression. This study suggested potential role of circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 as biomarker in axSpA. Furthermore, dyslipidaemia augmented IL-22⁺ ILC3 differentiation, and oxLDL-C and IL-22 markedly increased osteoclastogenesis of axSpA.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제44권10호
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• pp.1439-1449
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• 2015

우리나라에서는 전통적으로 복숭아꽃을 차로 마셔왔으며 피부 부스럼 등의 치료에 이용하였다는 기록이 있어 복숭아꽃 추출물이 산화적 스트레스와 염증반응을 억제시키는 효과가 있는지를 본 연구에서 확인하고자 하였다. 복숭아꽃을 건조시킨 다음 에탄올 추출 농축액(EtOH)을 얻었고, 이로부터 다시 hexane(Hx), dichloromethane(DM), ethyl acetate(EA), n-butanol(BtOH) 및 water(DW) 순으로 순차적 용매 분획을 시행하여 획득한 각 농축액에서 총 페놀화합물 함량, 플라보노이드 함량, DPPH 라디칼과 ABTS 라디칼 소거능을 측정하였고, LPS를 처리한 RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 이들 추출물들이 NO, PGE2, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ 생성에 미치는 영향을 측정하였다. 그 결과 총 페놀화합물 함량과 플라보노이드 함량은 EA 분획(394.6 mg TA/g, 253.7 mg RT/g)이 가장 높았고, 그다음이 BtOH 분획(128.3 mg TA/g, 93.1 mg RT/g), DM 분획(79.5 mg TA/g, 52.9 mg RT/g), EtOH 추출물(78.1 mg TA/g, 55.3 mg RT/g) 순이었다. DPPH 라디칼 소거능은 EA> BtOH${\geq}$ EtOH> DM=DW> Hx 순이었으며, ABTS 라디칼 소거능은 EA> BtOH> EtOH=DM> Hx=DW 분획 순으로 항산화 효과는 EA, BtOH 분획이 가장 우수하였다. 총 페놀화합물의 함량은 DPPH 라디칼 소거능($IC_{50}$)(r=-0.6081, P<0.01), ABTS 라디칼 소거능(r=0.9683, P<0.001)과 유의적인 상관관계를 나타내었으며, DPPH 라디칼 소거능($IC_{50}$)과 ABTS 라디칼 소거능은 서로 유의한 상관관계(r=-0.7172, P<0.001)를 나타내었다. LPS를 처리한 대식세포에 각 추출시료를 세포독성이 없는 농도로 처리한 결과 EtOH 추출물과 Hx, DM, EA 분획이 NO 생성을 유의하게 감소시켰으며(P<0.05), EtOH 추출물과 DM, EA 분획이 PGE2 생성을 유의하게 감소시켰다(P<0.05). 염증성 사이토카인인 IL-6와 TNF-${\alpha}$ 생성은 EtOH 추출물과 Hx, DM, EA, BtOH 분획 모두 유의하게 감소시켰다(P<0.05). 더 나아가 LPS를 처리한 대식세포에서 복숭아꽃 EtOH 추출물을 처리하였을 때 농도의존적으로 iNOS와 COX-2의 합성을 효과적으로 억제시킴으로써 주요한 염증 매개물질인 NO와 PGE2의 생성이 억제되는 기전을 제시하였다. 한편 대식세포에서 분비된 아질산염의 농도는 TNF-${\alpha}$ 농도(r=0.6477, P<0.05) 및 PGE2 농도(r=0.6377, P<0.05)와 유의한 상관관계를 나타내었으며, 아질산염, PGE2, IL-6 농도는 총 페놀화합물 함량이나 항산화 효과 지표들과 유의한 상관성을 보이지 않았다. 다만 TNF-${\alpha}$ 농도만 총 페놀화합물 함량(r=0.6524, P<0.05), 플라보노이드 함량(r=0.6914, P<0.05), DPPH 라디칼 소거능($IC_{50}$)(r=-0.6839, P<0.05), ABTS 라디칼 소거능(r=0.7921, P<0.01)과 각각 유의한 상관관계를 나타내었으며, 염증반응의 매개물질인 PGE2 및 IL-6 농도와는 유의한 상관성이 없었다. 본 실험 결과를 종합하면 복숭아꽃 에탄올 추출물은 항산화 효과와 항염증 효과가 우수하였으며, 그로부터 얻은 분획물 중에서 특히 EA와 BtOH 분획은 항산화 효과가 매우 우수하였고, DM과 EA 분획은 항염증 효과가 우수하였다. 따라서 복숭아꽃 에탄올 추출물을 비롯한 이들 분획물들은 산화적 스트레스 및 염증반응의 상승과 관련되어 있는 만성질환을 예방하는 건강기능성 식품의 개발을 위한 천연소재로 이용 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.227-234
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• 2014

본 연구에서는 LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 대식세포의 염증반응을 통해 잔가시 모자반 (S. micracanthum) 물 추출물의 항염증 활성을 알아보았다. 잔가시 모자반 물 추출물이 대식세포에 미치는 독성을 알아보기 위해 MTT assay를 시행했으며, NO 생성량을 비롯하여 TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 및 IL-$1{\beta}$와 같은 염증 매개성 사이토카인 분비량을 측정하기 위해 ELISA법을 사용하였다. 또한, immunoblotting을 통해 iNOS, COX-2 및 NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 단백질 발현량을 알아보았다. 실험결과, 잔가시 모자반 물 추출물이 대식세포에 미치는 독성은 보이지 않았으며, NO 및 염증 매개성 사이토카인의 분비량이 농도 의존적으로 억제됨을 보였다. 특히, IL-$1{\beta}$ 분비량이 $50{\mu}g/mL$에서 50% 이상 저해됨을 보였다. 또한, iNOS, COX-2 및 NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 단백질 발현량에서도 농도의존적인 감소를 보였다. 모자반 물 추출물을 5,000 mg/kg body weight까지 경구투여 한 후 2주 동안 관찰한 결과 경구독성을 보이지 않음을 확인하였다. 그 후, 동물실험을 통해 염증으로 인한 귀 부종의 두께를 측정한 결과, 가장 높은 처리 농도인 250 mg/kg body weight으로 경구투여 하였을 때 prednisolone을 투여한 대조군과 유의적으로 비슷한 수준까지 귀 부종이 완화됨을 보였다. 따라서 본 연구는 잔가시 모자반 물 추출물이 뛰어난 항염증 효과를 가지고 있음을 나타내며, 향후 염증질환 치료제 개발에 잔가시 모자반 물 추출물이 이용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.491-496
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• 2015

본 연구는 대표적인 떫은 감 품종인 대봉감과 반시의 항산화, 항염증 및 면역증강 효과를 탐색, 비교하였다. 쥐 모델을 대상으로 4주간 대봉감과 반시의 섭취는 식이섭취량과 체중 변화에 영향을 미치지 않았다. B지역의 대봉감 섭취는 고지방식이 대조군 대비 유의적으로 카탈레이즈 활성 수준을 증가시켰으며, 간 조직의 지질과산화물인 말론디알데하이드 수준은 고지방식이 대조군 대비 A지역 대봉감을 섭취한 군에서 유의적으로 감소하였다. 또한 A지역 대봉감의 섭취는 염증인자인 IL-1 beta의 수준을 고지방식이군 대비 유의적으로 감소시켰다. 또 다른 대표적인 염증인자인 IL-6는 고지방식이 대조군과 비교하여 A지역과 B지역의 대봉감을 섭취한 군에서 유의적으로 감소시켰다. TNF-alpha 수준은 A지역의 대봉감을 섭취한 군에서 고지방식이대조군 대비 유의적으로 감소되었다. A지역 대봉감 섭취는 IgG의 수준을 고지방식이 대조군 대비 유의적으로 증가시켰다. IGF-1의 수준은 고지방식이 대조군과 비교하여 A, B, C 지역 대봉감 섭취군에서 증가하였다. 이상의 결과로부터 대봉감의 섭취는 우수한 항염증 효과와 면역증강 효과가 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.1-24
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the protective effect of Gamijipaesan aqueous extracts(GJS), which has been traditionally used in Korean medicine in obstetrics & gynecological fields as anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory agents, against mastitis induced by Staphylococcus aureus infection in a rat model through antibacterial, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidant effects. Methods: Antibacterial activities of GJS against S. aureus were detected using standard agar microdilution methods, with the effects on the bacterial invasion and intracellular killing of individual test materials in human mammary gland carcinoma cell(MCF-7) and murine macrophages(Raw 264.7) at MIC1/2, MIC and MIC2 concentration levels. In addition, the effects on the cell viability, nitric oxide(NO), tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6 productions of LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells. The changes on the mammary tissue viable bacterial numbers, myeloperoxidae(MPO), inducible nitric oxide synthetase(iNOS), TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 contents were observed in the S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious rat model. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were compared with ciprofloxacin and piroxicam, respectively in the present study. Results: MIC of GJS and ciprofloxacin against S. aureus were detected as $0.860{\pm}0.428$ (0.391-1.563) mg/ml and $0.371{\pm}0.262$(0.098-0.782) ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, GJS and ciprofloxacin were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of the both bacterial invasion and intracellular killing assays using MCF-7 and Raw 264.7 cells at MIC1/2, MIC and $MIC{\times}2$ concentrations, respectively. $ED_{50}$ against LPS-induced cell viabilities and NO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 releases of GJS were detected as 0.72, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.11 mg/ml, and as 19.04, 4.18, 5.37 and 4.27 ${\mu}g/ml$ in piroxicam, respectively. 250 and 500 mg/kg of GJS also inhibit the intramammary bacterial growth, MPO, iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 contents in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infected rats, respectively. GJS 500 mg/kg showed quite similar antibacterial and anti-infectious effects as compared with ciprofloxacin 40 mg/kg and also showed similar anti-inflammatory effects as piroxicam 10 mg/kg, in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious models. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that over 250 mg/kg of GJS showed favorable anti-infectious effects against S. aureus infection in a rat model through their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-oxidant effects and therefore expected that GJS can be used as alternative therapies, having both anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious activities. However, more detail mechanism studies should be conducted in future with the efficacy tests of individual herbal composition of GJS and the screening of the biological active compounds in individual herbs. In the present study, GJS 500 mg/kg showed quite similar anti-infectious effects were detected as compared with ciprofloxacin 40 mg/kg treated rats, and also GJS shows quite similar anti-inflammatory effects as compared with piroxicam 10 mg/kg in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious rats, but ciprofloxacin did not showed any anti-inflammatory effects, and piroxicam did not showed anti-infectious effects in this study.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.268-277
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• 2016

본 연구는 COHEE의 항염증 효과를 확인하기 위한 실험으로써 pro-inflammatory cytokine의 분비량 및 iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB와 MAPKs의 발현량을 관찰하였다. 먼저 MTT assay를 통해 COHEE가 세포 생존율에 있어 독성을 나타내지 않음을 확인한 후 동일한 농도로 추후실험을 진행하였다. COHEE에 의해 NO 분비량이 농도 의존적으로 감소하였으며 IL-6, TNF-α 및 IL-1β의 분비량 또한 유의적으로 감소하였다. 특히 100 μg/ml의 농도에서 LPS 단독처리구인 대조구에 비하여 IL-6, TNF-α 및 IL-1β의 분비량을 각각 66%, 43% 및 93% 억제시켰다. 이러한 결과가 전염증성 매개인자의 전사인자인 NF-κB와 MAPKs 경로에 의한 것인지 확인하기 위하여 발현량을 관찰한 결과, COHEE가 LPS 처리에 의해 현저히 증가한 단백질의 발현을 농도 의존적으로 유의성 있게 억제하였다. 또한 COHEE는 croton oil로 부종을 유발한 마우스모델에서 귀부종 억제효과를 나타내었고 250 mg/kg 농도에서 조직의 경피 및 진피 두께의 발달을 prednisolone 10 mg/kg 처리구와 유사한 정도까지 현저히 억제시키고 염증성 세포인 mast cell의 침윤 억제 효과도 확인하였다. 이를 통해 COHEE는 염증 반응의 전사인자인 NF-κB의 발현을 조절함으로써 iNOS와 COX-2의 발현을 억제하고 그에 따라 전염증성 매개인자인 NO, IL-6, TNF-α 및 IL-1β의 분비를 억제하여 항염증 활성을 가지는 것을 확인하였으며, 이 결과를 종합해볼 때, COHEE가 염증 치료제로써의 소재로 이용될 가치가 충분할 것으로 사료된다.