• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• 제18권5호
• /
• pp.1204-1211
• /
• 2009

Hericium erinaceus is an edible mushroom used as a medicinal food in Asian countries. In this study, the chemopreventive effects of H. erinaceus mycelia hot water extract (HEW) were evaluated. HEW remarkably induced the luciferase activity of the antioxidant response element (ARE), located in the promoter region of phase 2 and antioxidant genes and regulated by nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The up-regulation of ARE activity by HEW corresponded with the induction of Nrf2 and the antioxidant enzyme, hemeoxygenase-1. The inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity is a promising effective approach in cancer chemoprevention, and HEW prominently suppressed COX-2 protein expression in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, HEW showed anti-inflammatory activity by modulating inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, and the transcription factor, nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that H. erinaceus possessed anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects via the modulation of Nrf2/ARE and inflammatory signaling pathways, and may therefore have potential use as a natural chemopreventive agent.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제30권7호
• /
• pp.634-639
• /
• 2020

불가사리는 다양한 생리활성물질을 가진 유용한 해양생물자원으로 알려져 있으나 불가사리가 가진 특유한 냄새로 인해 기능성 소재로 활용하는데 많은 제약이 있다. 우리는 최근에 로스팅을 통해 이러한 문제점을 해결하고 효율적인 화장품 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 제시하였으나 열처리된 불가사리 추출물의 생리활성에 관한 연구는 거의 전무한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 LPS에 의해 염증을 유도한 Raw 264.7 세포에서 열처리 불가사리 추출물의 염증 조절 기전을 조사하여 항염증 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 확인하였다. 열처리 불가사리 추출물은 LPS에 의해 증가된 NO의 분비량과 iNOS의 발현을 현저히 감소시켰고 IL-1β와 IL-6와 같은 pro-inflammatory cytokine의 발현에서도 유의미한 감소를 나타내었다. 또한 열처리 불가사리 추출물에 의한 NF-κB p65 단백질의 핵으로의 전이 억제와 NF-κB 저해제인 PDTC와의 동시 처리에 의한 NO 분비량 감소는 열처리 불가사리 추출물의 NO 생성 저해 효과가 NF-κB 신호전달을 통해 이루어짐을 보여주었다. 본 연구 결과는 열처리 불가사리 추출물이 NF-κB 신호전달 경로를 통해 염증매개인자들의 발현을 억제하여 염증반응을 효과적으로 제어할 수 있는 잠재력을 가진 기능성 소재로서의 가능성을 제시하고 있다.

• 대한화장품학회지
• /
• 제46권2호
• /
• pp.195-204
• /
• 2020

본 연구에서는 피부각질형성세포에서 동의보감에 기록된 14 종의 충부약재에 대한 염증성 사이토카인 생성에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 이를 확인하기 위하여 멀티플렉스 사이토카인 분석으로 17 종에 대한 사이토카인을 스크리닝 하였다. 충부약재 14 종 중, 제조 및 전갈 추출물은 IL-5 생성을 억제하였고, 제조, 상표초 및 수질 추출물은 IL-6 생성을, 제조, 상표초, 지룡, 수질 및 문합 추출물은 IL-8 생성에 억제 효과를 보였다. 합개, 잠사, 선퇴 및 문합 추출물은 IL-13 생성을 억제하였으며, 귀판, 잠사 및 지룡 추출물은 MIP-1β 생성에 유의적인 효과를 확인하였다. 이러한 충부약재는 피부염증 억제를 위한 항염증제 활용 가능성에 의미를 둘 수 있지만, 그 가치를 증명하기 위해서는 피부개선을 위한 기전연구를 포함하여 인체피부모사판 모델에서 추가 실험을 통한 검증이 선행 되어야 한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제41권2호
• /
• pp.151-158
• /
• 2017

Background: Chong-Myung-Tang (CMT) extract is widely used in Korea as a traditional herbal tonic for increasing memory capacity in high-school students and also for numerous body ailments since centuries. The use of CMT to improve the learning capacity has been attributed to various plant constituents, especially black ginseng, in it. Therefore, in this study, we have first investigated whether black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts affected spatial learning using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Their molecular mechanism of action underlying improvement of learning and memory was examined in vitro. Methods: We used two types of black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, designated as CM-1 and CM-2, and evaluated their efficacy in the MWM test for spatial learning behavior and their anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells. Results: Our results show that both black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts improved the learning behavior in scopolamine-induced impairment in the water maze test. Moreover, these extracts also inhibited nitric oxide production in BV2 cells, with significant suppression of expression of proinflammatory cytokines, especially inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. The protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ pathway factors was also diminished by black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, indicating that it not only improves the memory impairment, but also acts a potent anti-inflammatory agent for neuroinflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our research for the first time provides the scientific evidence that consumption of black ginseng-enriched CMT extract as a brain tonic improves memory impairment. Thus, our study results can be taken as a reference for future neurobehavioral studies.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제23권4호
• /
• pp.569-577
• /
• 2013

간장은 한국의 전통 발효식품으로써 최근 항암 효과, 항균작용, 항산화능, 항혈전 효과 등의 효능이 보고되고 있다. 한국의 간장은 콩과 밀을 주요 원료로 사용한다. 콩의 세포벽으로부터 유래되는 다당류는 효소적 가수분해에 저항성이 있으므로, 발효가 끝난 후에도 간장에 잔존하게 되며 이것을 간장 유래 다당류(Kanjang polysaccharides, KPS)라 부른다. 본 연구에서는 산분해법과 양조법으로 제조된 시판 간장인 A~T의 20종의 투석물로부터 다당류를 제조하고, 비만세포에서 염증성 cytokine의 방출과 mRNA의 발현에 대한 KPS의 효과를 실험함으로써 항염증 효과를 조사하였다. RBL-2H3 세포에서 KPS의 처리는 histamine과 ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase의 방출을 현저히 억제시켰다. 자극된 HMC-1 세포에서 KPS의 처리는 염증성 cytokine인 IL-6, IL-8, TNF-${\alpha}$의 방출 및 mRNA의 발현을 감소시켰다. 특히, 양조간장으로부터 유래된 KPS는 산분해 간장보다 비만세포에서 우수한 항염증 효과를 나타내었다. 따라서, KPS는 알레르기성 염증반응을 억제시키는데 효과적일 것이라 사료된다.

• 한국약용작물학회지
• /
• 제24권3호
• /
• pp.228-236
• /
• 2016

Background: Sedum takesimense Nakai has been used as folk medicine in Korea. The present study aimed to determine the biological activity of S. takesimense by investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of S. takesimense water extract (SKLC) on the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. Methods and Results: Cytotoxicity of SKLC on RAW 264.7 cells was determinded by performing MTS assay was found to have no cytotoxic effect on RAW 264.7 cells at a concentration range of $62-500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Further, pretreatment of SKLC inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner. To determined the inhibitory mechanisms of SKLC on inflammatory mediators, we assessed the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygnease-2 (COX-2) pathways. The activities of these pathways were decreased in a dose-dependent manner by SKLC. The production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 were also reduced. Conclusions: These results suggest that the down regulation of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 expression by SKLC are mediated by the down regulation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity, a transcription factor necessary for pro-inflammatory mediators. This might be the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of SKLC.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• 제61권3호
• /
• pp.275-281
• /
• 2018

Pinus densiflora root (PDR) is used as a medicinal plant. In this study, we investigated whether the PDR extract has anti-inflammatory activities. Cell viability assays showed that the extract was not toxic toward RAW 264.7 cells at concentrations up to $10{\mu}g/mL$. At $10{\mu}g/mL$, the extract decreased nitric oxide (NO) content to 40% of the control level. The protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which generates NO, decreased with increasing concentrations of the extract. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) levels were significantly inhibited by over 50% in the presence of $10{\mu}g/mL$ of the extract. The protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which generates $PGE_2$, decreased with increasing concentrations of the extract. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and $IL-1{\beta}$, were detected in RAW 264.7 cells after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. The extract did not affect the levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6, but it significantly inhibited the level of $IL-1{\beta}$. It also completely inhibited the transcription of nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$). These results indicate that the PDR extract reduces inflammatory response-related proteins, such as NO, $PGE_2$, iNOS, and COX-2, in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells via the regulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Consequently, we have provided a mechanism to explain the anti-inflammatory effect of the PDR extract; that is, it exerts such an effect by regulating $NF-{\kappa}B$. The PDR extract can therefore be considered as an effective anti-inflammatory agent.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제81권1호
• /
• pp.80-87
• /
• 2018

Background: Asthma is a disease of chronic airway inflammation with heterogeneous features. Neutrophilic asthma is corticosteroid-insensitive asthma related to absence or suppression of $T_H2$ process and increased $T_H1$ and/or $T_H17$ process. Macrolides are immunomodulatory drug that reduce airway inflammation, but their role in asthma is not fully known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of macrolides in neutrophilic asthma and compare their effects with those of corticosteroids. Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Clarithromycin (CAM) and/or dexamethasone (DXM) were administered at days 14, 15, 21, 22, and 23. At day 24, the mice were sacrificed. Results: Airway resistance in the OVA+LPS exposed mice was elevated but was more attenuated after treatment with CAM+DXM compared with the monotherapy group (p<0.05 and p<0.01). In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid study, total cells and neutrophil counts in OVA+LPS mice were elevated but decreased after CAM+DXM treatment. In hematoxylin and eosin stain, the CAM+DXM-treated group showed less inflammation additively than the monotherapy group. There was less total protein, interleukin 17 (IL-17), interferon ${\gamma}$, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ in the CAM+DXM group than in the monotherapy group (p<0.001, p<0.05, and p<0.001). More histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) activity was recovered in the DXM and CAM+DXM challenged groups than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Decreased IL-17 and recovered relative HDAC2 activity correlated with airway resistance and inflammation in a neutrophilic asthma mouse model. This result suggests macrolides as a potential corticosteroid-sparing agent in neutrophilic asthma.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제22권10호
• /
• pp.1307-1315
• /
• 2012

본 연구에서는 이유자돈 사료에 벤조산 첨가가 위장 내 소화물과 방광 내 뇨의 pH, 장내 유익 미생물 균총수 및 장 조직 내 염증성 싸이토카인 유전자 발현양에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 자돈기 5주 동안 이유자돈 사료 내 벤조산 0.3%과 0.5% 첨가는 자돈 위 내 pH는 감소시키지는 않았으나, 방광 내 뇨의 pH 수치는 유의적으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. Lactobacillus casei 수는 맹장부위에서 벤조산 0.5% 첨가구와 대조구에서 유의적으로 가장 높게 나타났다. Lactobacillus plantarum 수는 맹장부위에서 벤조산 0.5% 첨가구에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 또한, 직장부위에서 L.plantarum 수는 대조구를 제외하고 모든 처리구에서 유의적으로 높게 나타났다. Bacillus subtillis 수는 맹장부위에서 벤조산0.5% 첨가구와 대조구에서 유의적으로 가장 높게 나타났으며, 직장부위에서는 벤조산0.3%와 0.5% 첨가구에서 가장 높게 나타났다. IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA 유전자 발현 수준은 소장 상단에서는 벤조산 0.5%와 항생제 처리구에서, 소장중부에서는 벤조산 0.3%와 0.5% 처리구에서, 말단부위에서는 벤조산 0.3% 처리구에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 낮게 나타났다. IL-6 mRNA 유전자 발현 수준은 소장중부에서는 벤조산 0.5% 처리구에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 낮게 나타났다. TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA 유전자 발현 수준은 소장 중단에서 벤조산 0.5%와 항생제 처리구에서 대조구 보다 낮게 나타났다. 본 실험을 통하여, 자돈 사료 내 benzoic acid 0.5% 첨가는 뇨의 pH 감소와 장내 유익 미생물 균총 수 조절 및 소장 내 면역체계 반응에 긍정적인 영향을 미치므로 자돈 건강을 향상 할 수 있으리라 사료된다.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제41권8호
• /
• pp.742-752
• /
• 2018

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra (SN). Although circadian dysfunction has been suggested as one of the pathophysiological risk factors for PD, the exact molecular link between the circadian clock and PD remains largely unclear. We have recently demonstrated that $REV-ERB{\alpha}$, a circadian nuclear receptor, serves as a key molecular link between the circadian and DAergic systems. It competitively cooperates with NURR1, another nuclear receptor required for the optimal development and function of DA neurons, to control DAergic gene transcription. Considering our previous findings, we hypothesize that $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ may have a role in the onset and/or progression of PD. In the present study, we therefore aimed to elucidate whether genetic abrogation of $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ affects PD-related phenotypes in a mouse model of PD produced by a unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the dorsal striatum. $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ deficiency significantly exacerbated 6-OHDA-induced motor deficits as well as DAergic neuronal loss in the vertebral midbrain including the SN and the ventral tegmental area. The exacerbated DAergic degeneration likely involves neuroinflammation-mediated neurotoxicity. The $REV-erb{\alpha}$ knockout mice showed prolonged microglial activation in the SN along with the over-production of interleukin $1{\beta}$, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in response to 6-OHDA. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates for the first time that genetic abrogation of $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ can increase vulnerability of DAergic neurons to neurotoxic insults, such as 6-OHDA, thereby implying that its normal function may be beneficial for maintaining DAergic neuron populations during PD progression.