• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.421-428
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• 2020

This study investigated a mixture of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Lithospermum erythrorhizon (LE) extracts (ALM16), exerts anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells, and its underlying mechanism. ALM16 was prepared by mixing AM and LE extracts in a ratio of 7:3 (w/w). Cytotoxicity of ALM16 in RAW264.7 cells was not shown up to 200 ㎍/mL of ALM16. The results of this study showed that ALM16 does-dependently inhibits the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. ALM16 not only markedly reduced the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, but also inhibited the nuclear translocation and DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In addition, ALM16 specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that ALM16 may exert anti-inflammatory effect by modulating mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.53-60
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• 2013

Objectives : DojukSan is known to be effective for treating a urinary diseases and stomatitis. However, there has been a lack of studies regarding the effects of Dojuksan on the inflammatory activities and effector inflammatory disease mechanism about macrophage before is not known. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Dojuksan water extract (DJS) on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of DJS on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Methods : In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis to measure the activation of MAPKs. Cells were treated with 200 ng/mL of LPS 1 h prior to the addition of DJS. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The investigation focused on whether DJS inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) productions, as well as the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Results : We found that DJS inhibited LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, DJS suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun NH2-protein kinase (JNK). Conclusions : These results suggest that DJS has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, and IL-6 production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the MAPKs phosphorylation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.949-955
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• 2009

Mucosal epithelia sense external stress signals and transmit them to the intracellular cascade responses. Ribotoxic stress-producing chemicals such as deoxynivalenol (DON) or other trichothecene mycotoxins have been linked with gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases by Fusarium-contamination. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that DON evokes the epithelial sentinel signals of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and early growth response gene 1 (EGR-1), which together contribute to the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) in human intestinal epithelial cells. PKR suppression by the dominant negative PKR expression attenuated DON-stimulated interleukin-8 production. Moreover, 1L-8 transcriptional activation by DON was also reduced by PKR inhibition in the human intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment with the PKR inhibitor also suppressed EGR-1 promoter activity, mRNA and protein induction, although mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2, p38, c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (INK) were little affected or even enhanced in presence of a PKR inhibitor. These patterns were also compared in the EGR-1-suppressed cells, which showed much more suppressed production of 1L-8. All things taken into consideration, DON-activated sentinel signals of EGR-1 via PKR mediated interleukin-8 production in human intestinal epithelial cells, which provide insight into the possible general mechanism associated with mucosal inflammation as an intestinal toxic insult by ribotoxic trichothecene mycotoxins.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2020

This study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of 70% ethanol extract from Ambrosia trifida L. (AT). The electron donating ability and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging ability of extract from AT was shown to be 84.1% and 92.5% at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. The astringent effect of extract from AT was shown to be 94.7% at 1,000 ㎍/ml. The anti- inflammatory activities of extract of AT were investigated using RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cell toxicity effect of AT extract on RAW 264.7 performed MTT assay. As a result of the measured cell toxicity effect, 90% or more was shown with cell viability at a 500 ㎍/ml concentration. In nitric oxide synthesis inhibition effect, it was shown that extract from AT concentration dependent inhibited nitric oxide production. The protein expression inhibitory effect of AT extract was measured by western blot at 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/ml concentration and the β-actin used as a positive control. Consequently, the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression inhibitory effect was decreased by 8.6%, 25.1% at 100 ㎍/ml concentration. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase and Iκ-Bα protein expression inhibitory effect was a decreased dependent concentration. The mRNA expression inhibitory effect was measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction at 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/ml concentration and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase used as a positive control. Consequently, the iNOS, COX-2, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression inhibition effect was a decreased dependent concentration in an LPS-activated macrophage. In conclusion, AT extract may have some effects on inflammatory factors as potential anti-inflammatory agents and natural substance for cosmetics.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2016

Purpose: The study was conducted to determine that photoreceptors of mouse having pigment in RPE(retinal pigment epithelium) can be damaged by blue-light and apoptosis of specific cells among photoreceptors are induced by blue-light, and to assist the investigation of AMD(Age-related macular degeneration) mechanisms and development of AMD drugs. Methods: C57Black mice were injured by irradiating $2800{\pm}10lux$ of 463 nm LED for 6 hours after 24 hours dark adaptation and eyes were enucleated 1, 3, 7 days. Damage of retina induced by blue-light was determined by western blotting GFAP(Glial fibrillary acidic protein) expression. In the light-injured retina, cell death of photoreceptors was determined by TUNEL(Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay. ERK(Extracellular signal-regulated kinases), JNK, and SRC(sarcoma) expression were assessed by western blotting to determine regulated pathway. Blue light-injured retina were immunostained with antibodies against Opsin and Rhodopsin as markers of photoreceptors to compared the damage cone cells with rod cells. Results: After 1, 3 and 7 days from exposure to blue-light, thickness of retina was more decreased than control, and more decreased at nuclear layer than at outer plexiform layer and GFAP expression was increased day 1 after blue-light injured. While phosphorylated ERK and SRC protein expressions at day 1 were increased after blue-light injured, phosphorylated c-JUN was decreased. Fluorescence intensity analysis showed that markers of cone and rod cells were decreased after blue-light injured and Opsin was more decreased than Rhodopsin. Conclusions: The study suggests possibilities that the blue-light promotes retinal damage and causes apoptotic cell death via ERK and SRC pathway in mouse retina, and blue-light retinal damage is more induced cone cells apoptosis than rod cells directly.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.417-427
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated in vitro immuno-stimulatory and anti-obesity activity of fruit (LIF), leaves (LIL) and stems (LIS) from Lonicera insularis Nakai in mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells and mouse pre-adipocytes 3T3-L1 cells. LIF, LIL and LIS increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and activated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) partly blocked LIF, LIL and LIS mediated production of immunostimulatory factors. In addition, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling attenuated the production of immunostimulatory factors induced by LIF, LIL and LIS. Based on these results of this study, LIF, LIL and LIS is thought to activate macrophages the production of immunostimulatory factors and phagocytosis through toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) and MAPKs signaling pathway. In anti-obesity study, LIF reduced the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. LIF increased the protein phosphorylation expressions such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) related to the lipolysis of the adipocytes. In addition, LIF increased the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism and brown adipose tissues differentiation such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coativator 1α (PGC-1α) and PR domain-containing16 (PRDM16). These results suggest that LIF is involved in lipid accumulation inhibition through expressing the proteins such as lipolysis and differentiation of white adipocytes to brown adipocytes.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.466-477
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• 2018

In this study, the anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts of different parts of Hovenia dulcis such as leaves, stems, and roots were investigated. Among them, the roots extract (RE) showed the most potent suppressive effect against pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cells. RE induced dose-dependent reduction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and concomitantly reduced the production of NO and $PGE_2$. Additionally, pre-treatment with RE significantly suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, as well as mRNA levels. Moreover, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) were also strongly attenuated by RE in RAW264.7 cell. Furthermore, RE induced HO-1 expression through nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increase HO-1 activity in RAW264.7 macrophages. Therefore, these results indicate that RE strongly inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses by blocking NF-kB activation, inhibiting MAPKs phosphorylation, and enhancing HO-1 expression in macrophages, suggesting that RE of H. dulicis and a major component, 27-O-protocatechuoylbetulinic acid could be applied as a valuable natural anti-inflammatory material.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 2003

Purpose: The human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562, expresses the chimeric bcr-abl oncoprotein, whose deregulated protein tyrosine kinase activity antagonizes via DNA damaging agents. Previous experiments have shown that nanomolar concentrations of herbimycin A (HWA) coupled with X-irradiation have a synergistic effect in inducing apoptosis in the Ph-positive K562 leukemia cell line, but genistein, a PTK inhibitor, is non selective for the radiation-induced apoptosils on $p210^{bcr/abl}$ protected K562 cells. In these experiments, the cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways, the Induction on a number of transcription factors and the differential gene expression in this model were investigated. Materials and Methids: K562 cells in the exponential growth phase were used in this study. The cells were irradiated with 0.5-12 Gy, using a 6 Mev Linac (Clinac 1800, Varian, USA). Immediately after irradiation, the cells were treated with $0.25/muM$ of HMA and $25/muM$ of genistein, and the expressions and the activities of abl kinase, MAPK family, NF- kB, c-fos, c-myc, and thymidine kinase1 (TK1) were examined. The differential gene expressions induced by PTK inhibitors were also investigated. Results: The modulating effects of herbimycin A and genistein on the radiosensitivity of K562 cells were not related to the bcr-abl kinase activity. The signaling responses through the MAPK family of proteins, were not involved either in association with the radiation-induced apoptosis, which is accelerated by HMA, the expression of c-myc was increased. The combined treatment of genistein, with irradiation, enhanced NF- kB activity and the TK1 expression and activity. Conclusion: The effects of HMA and genistein on the radiosensitivity on the K562 cells were not related to the bcr-abl kinase activity in this study, another signaling pathway, besides the WAPK family responses to radiation to K562 cells, was found. Further evaluation using this model will provide valuable information for the optional radiosensitization or radioprotection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.447-454
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• 2022

In this study, we confirmed the effect of HK shiitake mushroom mycelium (HKSMM) on immune enhancement in Balb/c mice. Experimental animals were divided into five groups: negative control (NC), positive control (PC; 1,000 mg/100 g; AHCC), T1 (500 mg/100 g; HKSMM), T2 (1,000 mg/100 g; HKSMM), and T3 (2,000 mg/100 g; HKSMM), and dissection was performed at four and six weeks. COX-2 and iNOS concentrations were significantly lower in the six-week experimental group than in the control group, and the NO results were also similar. Results of the confirmation of the factors related to the NF-κB (p-p65 and p-IκBα) and MAPK (pERK, pJNK, and p38) signaling pathways revealed that the HKSMM-fed experimental group significantly decreased compared with the control group. A comparative analysis of the number and size of white pulp in the spleen tissue showed that those of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that HKSMM has both immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effects in Balb/c mice, indicating that it can be used as a health functional food ingredient.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1149-1157
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• 2017

Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation in our body. The use of medicinal plants has been widely applied as an alternative source for drug development. One of marine natural resources, the anti-inflammatory effect of Ishige sinicola ethanol extract (ISEE), was evaluated by using LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell and mice model. As a result, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) were inhibited with increasing concentration of ISEE without any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, ISEE suppressed the expression of not only inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in a dose-dependent manner. In mice ear edema test, the formation of edema was reduced at the highest dosage of ISEE and the reduction of the number of infiltrated mast cells was observed in histological analysis. These results indicate that ISEE has a potent anti-inflammatory activity and can be used as a pharmaceutical material for many kinds of inflammatory disease.