• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.303-309
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• 2017

${\beta}$-sitosterol, one of phytosterols, exhibited numerous pharmacological effect including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immune-modulating properties. This study attempted to determine the pharmacological effects of ${\beta}$-sitosterol on atopic dermatitis (AD). We investigated to ascertain the pharmacological effects of ${\beta}$-sitosterol on 2, 4-dinitrochlrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD symptom and histamine-induced scratching behaviors in mice. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of ${\beta}$-sitosterol on the interleukin (IL)-6 levels in HaCaT cells and skin tissue of AD. The findings of this study demonstrated that ${\beta}$-sitosterol reduced AD clinical symptoms such as eczematous, erythema and dryness and serum histamine and IgE levels in DNCB-induced AD model and histamine-induced scratching behaviors in mice. Additionally, ${\beta}$-sitosterol inhibited the IL-6 expression in AD-like skin lesion and HaCaT cells. Collectively, these findings provide that ${\beta}$-sitosterol could be a therapeutic agent for skin inflammation including AD.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.19-28
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• 2004

봉독은 관절염 치료를 비롯한 여러 질환에 그 응용범위가 넓어지고 있으며 기전규명과 새로운 치료효과 개발을 위한 연구가 필요하다. 연골의 파괴는 진행된 각종 관절병증의 공통 병리기전이며 연골세포의 기능이상은 이 기전에 중요한 의미를 지닌다. 사람 연골세포의 특성을 유지하고 있는 HTB-94 연골육종세포를 배양하고 봉독을 처치했을 때의 유전자 발현양상을 microarray를 이용하여 관찰하였다. 대조군에 비해 4배 이상 발현의 차이가 있는 경우를 유의한 것으로 보았을 때 microarray의 344개 유전자중 봉독처치시 발현이 증강되는 유전자는 없었으며 발현이 억제되는 유전자는 interleukin 6 receptor, interleukin 1 alpha, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, matrix metalloproteinase 1, tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, members 4, 8 and 12, and caspases 2, 6, and 10등 35개가 관찰되었다. Microarray를 통한 유전자발현 분석을 통해 관절염에 대한 봉독치료의 기전을 시사하는 유용한 자료를 얻을 수 있었으며 앞으로 보다 넓은 범위에 대한 연구가 필요할 것이다.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.275-282
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• 2018

Paeoniae Radix has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases including hepatic disease. However, the inhibitory effect of Paeoniae Radix on intestinal inflammation has not been fully understood yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Paeoniae Radix on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium in mice. To investigate the protective effects of Paeoniae Radix, the colitis mice were induced by drinking water containing 5% dextran sulfate sodium for 7 days. Mice were randomized into groups receiving Paeoniae Radix (100 mg/kg), sulfasalazine (150 mg/kg) as a positive control, or water as a negative control. We evaluated the effects of Paeoniae Radix on clinical signs induced by dextran sulfate sodium, measuring weight loss, colon length, and disease activity index. Additionally, to find a possible explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects of Paeoniae Radix, we evaluated the effects of Paeoniae Radix on the interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 levels in colitis tissue. The results indicated that mice treated with dextran sulfate sodium showed measurable clinical signs, including weight loss and reduced colon length. However, Paeoniae Radix treatment significantly improved the weight loss and disease activity index as clinical symptoms. Moreover, Paeoniae Radix inhibited the interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression levels in colon tissues treated with dextran sulfate sodium. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that Paeoniae Radix may be useful for treating intestinal inflammation, including ulcerative colitis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.979-995
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• 1999

This study was investigated to observe the effect of Treponema denticola cell sonicates(TDC) and Treponema lecithinolyticum cell sonicates(TLC) on cytokine secretion and matix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) activation of cultured human gingival fibroblast. Several experiments were performed including $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 ELISA for the effect on the $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 secretion of human gingival fibroblast. Also gelatinase zymography and gelatin dissolubility test for the activation of MMP-2 secreted by gingival fibroblast. The results were as follows. 1. The effect of TDC and TLC on IL-6 secretion of human gingival fibroblast showed statistically significant increase of IL-6 secretion in the TDC and TLC treated group compared to no treatment group(p<0.05) . 2. The amount of $IL-1{\beta}$ secretion was below the lower limit and there was no difference in the $IL-1{\beta}$ secretion of gingival fibroblast between TDC, TLC treated group and no treatment group. 3. The active form of pro MMP-2 with 72 kDa molecular weight was activated in both TDC and TLC treated group and clear band was appeared at 62kDa site on the zymography. 4. Gelatin dissolubility of MMP-2 secreted by gingival fibroblast was higher in TDC and TLC treated group compared to no treatment group(p<0.05). 5. In the TDC treated group, serine protease of T. denticola affect gelatin dissolubility. But in the TLC treated group gelatin was degraded by only MMP secreted by gingival fibroblast. Regarding to the above results, TDC and TLC have an effect on the IL-6 secretion increase of human gingival fibroblast and appears to activate pro MMP-2 which degrades collagen.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.893-899
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• 2021

BLT2 is a low-affinity receptor for leukotriene B₄, a potent lipid mediator of inflammation generated from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether BLT2 plays any role in sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection. A murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis was used to evaluate the role of BLT2 in septic inflammation. In the present study, we observed that the levels of ligands for BLT2 (LTB₄ [leukotriene B₄] and 12(S)-HETE [12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid]) were significantly increased in the peritoneal lavage fluid and serum from mice with CLP-induced sepsis. We also observed that the levels of BLT2 as well as 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 12-LO, which are synthesizing enzymes for LTB₄ and 12(S)-HETE, were significantly increased in lung and liver tissues in the CLP mouse model. Blockade of BLT2 markedly suppressed the production of sepsis-associated cytokines (IL-6 [interleukin-6], TNF-α [tumor necrosis factor alpha], and IL-1β [interleukin-β] as well as IL-17 [interleukin-17]) and alleviated lung inflammation in the CLP group. Taken together, our results suggest that BLT2 cascade contributes to lung inflammation in CLP-induced sepsis by mediating the production of inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that BLT2 may be a potential therapeutic target for sepsis patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7869-7873
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• 2014

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an antitumor and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as an inflammatory cytokine, are immunomodulatory products that play important roles in responses in cancers and inflammation. We tested the association between two polymorphisms of IL-12(1188A>C; rs3212227) and IL-6 (-174 C>G) and the risk of bladder cancer in 261 patients and 251 healthy individuals. We also investigated the possible association of these SNPs in patients with high-risk jobs and smoking habits with the incidence of bladder cancer. The genotype distributions of IL-6 (-174 C/G) genotype were similar between the cases and the control groups; however, among patients with smoking habits, the association between IL-6 gene polymorphism and incidence of bladder cancer was significant. After a control adjustment for age and sex, the following results were recorded: CC genotype (OR= 2.11, 95%CI=1.56-2.87, p=0.007), GC genotype (OR=2.18, 95%CI=1.16-4.12, p=0.014) and GC+CC (OR=2.6, 95%CI=1.43-4.47, p=0.011). A significant risk of bladder cancer was observed for the heterozygous genotype (AC) of IL-12 (OR=1.47, 95%CI=1.01-2.14, p=0.045) in all cases, and among smokers (AC) (OR=3.13, 95%CI=1.82-5.37, p=0.00014), combined AC+CC (OR=3.05, 95%CI=1.8-5.18, p=0.000015). Moreover among high risk job patients, there was more than a 3-fold increased risk of cancer in the carriers of IL-12 beta heterozygous (OR=3.7, 95%CI=2.04-6.57, p=0.000056) and combined AC+CC(OR=3.29, 95%CI=1.58-5.86, p=0.00002) genotypes as compared with the AA genotype with low-risk jobs. As a conclusion, this study suggests that IL-12(3'UTR A>C) and IL-6 (-174 C>G) genotypes are significantly associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer in the Iranian population with smoking habits and/or performing high-risk jobs.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2003

Soy, high dietary intake for the oriental population, is a main source of isoflavonoids. Sophoricoside (SOP) an isoflavone glycoside was isolated from immature fruits of Sophora japonica (Leguminosae family) and its inhibitory effect on chemical mediators involved in inflammatory response was investigated in this study. SOP inhibited the interleukin (IL)-6 bioactivity with an $IC_{50}$ value of 6.1 $\mu$M whereas it had no effects on IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-a bioactivities. SOP was identified as a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of 4.4 $\mu$ M, but did not show inhibitory effect on the synthesis of COX-2. However, SOP had no effect on the production of reactive oxygen species including superoxide anions and nitric oxide. These results revealed that in vitro anti-inflammatory action of SOP is significantly different from that of genistein known as a phytoestrogen of soy products. This experimental study has documented an importance of dietary soy isoflavonoids as multifunctional agents beneficial to human health, and will help to clarify protective mechanisms of SOP against inflammatory conditions.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.442-448
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• 2004

Wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone) is a down-regulator of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, contributing to anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. For further characterization of modulatory activity on ploinflammatory gene expression in vivo, the effect of wogonin was examined in this experiment using animal models of skin inflammation. By topical application, wogonin inhibited an edematic response as well as ploinflammatory gene expression against contact dermatitis In mice. Wogonin inhibited ear edema ($19.4-22.6\%$) at doses of $50-200\;{\mu}g$/ear and down-regulated interleukin-$1{\beta}$ induction ($23.1\%$) at $200{\mu}g$/ear in phenol-induced simple irritation. Wogonin ($2{\times}50-2{\times}200{\mu}g$/ear) also inhibited edematic response ($51.2-43.9\%$) and down-regulated ploinflammatory gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interferon-$\gamma$, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase with some different sensitivity against picryl chloride-induced delayed hypersensitivity reaction. All these results clearly demonstrate that wogonin is a down-regulator of ploinflammatory gene expression in animal models of skin inflammation. Therefore, wogonin may have potential for a new anti-inflammatory agent against skin inflammation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.198-207
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• 1999

The aim of the present investigation was to examine whether YH439, a hepatoprotective agent, exerts protective effect against hepatotoxicity and reduces the production of cytokines and NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed rats with carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$). Administration of LPS following a single dose of CCl4 injection resulted in remarkable elevations of the serum $TNF{\alpha},{\;}IL-l{\beta$ and IL-6 level. The serum NO level was moderately elevated and severe liver damage was evidenced by increases in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities. YH439 decreased the levels of TNF, $IL-l{\beta}$, IL-6, ALT, SDH as well as NO in the serum elevated by CCl4+LPS in a dose-dependent manner. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) level was decreased in the liver of rats treated with YH439. The increased iNOS activity induced by LPS and $interferon-{\gamma}$ was significantly decreased in RAW 264.7 cells by YH439 treatment. YH439 increased the GSH level decreased by $CCl_4+LPS$ and suppressed the ratio of GSSG/GSH. The reduction of hepatotoxicity by YH439 may associated with the decrease in the production of cytokines as well as suppression of iNOS protein in conjunction with an increase in the GSH level.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1109-1114
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• 2021

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a type of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria that causes various respiratory tract infections including asthma. Chlamydia species infect humans and cause respiratory infection by rupturing the lining of the respiratory which includes the throat, lungs and windpipe. Meanwhile, the function of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in Ch. pneumoniae respiratory infection and its association with the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in adulthood and causing allergic airway disease (AAD) are not understood properly. We therefore investigated the role of IL-4 in respiratory infection and allergy caused by early life Chlamydia infection. In this study, Ch. pneumonia strain was propagated and cultured in HEp-2 cells according to standard protocol and infant C57BL/6 mice around 3-4 weeks old were infected to study the role of IL-4 in respiratory infection and allergy caused by early life Chlamydia infection. We observed that IL-4 is linked with Chlamydia respiratory infection and its absence lowers respiratory infection. IL-4R α2 is also responsible for controlling the IL-4 signaling pathway and averts the progression of infection and inflammation. Furthermore, the IL-4 signaling pathway also influences infection-induced AHR and aids in increasing AAD severity. STAT6 also promotes respiratory infection caused by Ch. pneumoniae and further enhanced its downstream process. Our study concluded that IL-4 is a potential target for preventing infection-induced AHR and severe asthma.