• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.87-93
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• 2013

Objectives : Degenerative arthritis arises from several physiological factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the beneficial effects of Phyto-extract Complex (CME) on degenerative arthritis. Methods : CME is composed of extracts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit, mulberry leaves and black beans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). To measure the toxicity of CME, we performed the single-dose toxicity study. For the evaluation of its effects on degenerative arthritis, we examined the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity, using in vitro enzyme activity assay, the reduction of protein expression of COX-2, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in RAW264.7 cells which were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We also examined the serum level of prostaglandins (PGs) and injury of the knee joint cartilage, using animal model of degenerative arthritis induced by mono-sodium iodoacetate (MIA). Results : CME did not have any toxicity in single-dose toxicity study. The CME inhibited the activity of COX-2 and could reduce the protein expression of COX-2, 5-LO and iNOS in RAW264.7 cells. The CME also reduced the serum level of PGs and prevented from the cartilage injury of knee joint in animal model of degenerative arthritis induced by MIA. Conclusions : Taken altogether, the CME could be useful for the improvement of degenerative arthritis through its various anti-inflammatory activities and prevention from the cartilage injury of knee joint.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.260-269
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• 2015

The protective effects of extract powder of Angelica gigas on the degeneration of the articular cartilage in rats was investigated with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis, The treatment of high concentration (50 μg/mL) of Angelica gigas effectively inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production induced by interleukin-1α (IL-1α) without any cytotoxicity. Specifically, mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were dose dependently reduced by extract powder of Angelica gigas. Importantly, mRNA expression in articular cartilage of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were clearly reduced. The inflammatory cytokines in blood were also reduced as well. These results suggested that the protective effects on the degeneration of the articular cartilage was derived from the inhibitory effects of mRNA and protein expression of tested inflammatory cytokines which is linked to prevent the degradation of proteoglycan (PG), the main matrix content in articular cartilage. Meanwhile, the 2 hrs incubation of decursin, a major compound of extract powder in rat whole blood rapidely converted decursin into decursinol which shows string anti-inflammatory activity. The coverted decursinol was detected after 8 hrs in whole blood by LC-MS/MS. Conclusively, the inhibitory effects of inflammatory cytokines production in osteoarthritis may be derived from the production of decursinol, which performs against inflammatroy cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.71-87
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• 2020

Objectives Even though the various alternative herbal medicine has applied for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, its scientific proof remains uncertain. The aim of the present study evaluates the effects of Chulbu-tang on inflammatory responses in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Methods OA rat model was established by MIA injection in intra-joint of rats. 7 days after, OA rats except OA control rats were administrated Chulbu-tang (100 or 200 mg/kg) or Indomathacin (5 mg/kg) once a day for 14 days. The weight-bearing ability of hind paws were measured when group isolation 0, 7, and 14 days. Western blotting was performed to examine the knockdown/overexpressing efficiency of Chulbu-tang. In addition, cartilage destruction was measured histologically. Results Chulbu-tang treatment significantly reduced the protein expressions of inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2, and inhibited inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inactivation. Moreover, anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase-1/2 through nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway significantly increased. Our findings indicate that Chulbu-tang has the potential therapeutic effect on OA through inhibiting the inflammatory responses via inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, upregulation of Nrf2 led to anti-oxidant effects. Conclusions Taken together, Chulbu-tang is believed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and cartilage protection for arthritis-causing rats.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.638-644
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• 2020

Lilium lancifolium (LL) is widely cultivated in East Asia and used to attenuate airway diseases. Our current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of LL on pain level and inflammatory response in a rat model of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA). We first examined the effect of LL on inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators in IL-1β-treated HTB-94 cells. The LL extract was found to significantly inhibit the levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE-2) in Interleukin-1 β (IL-1β)-stimulated HTB-94 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, chronic oral administration of LL effectively restored the weight-bearing distribution in the rat model of MIA-induced OA. In addition, administration of LL inhibited inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, leukotriene B4 (LTB-4), PGE-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Our findings collectively suggested LL as one of the potential therapeutic agents for OA, owing to its properties of reducing pain and inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.645-656
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• 2022

Gossypol, a natural phenolic aldehyde present in cotton plants, was originally used as a means of contraception, but is currently being studied for its anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects on various cancers. However, the intracellular mechanism of action regarding the effects of gossypol on pancreatic cancer cells remains unclear. Here, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of gossypol on human pancreatic cancer cells (BxPC-3 and MIA PaCa-2). Cell counting kit-8 assays, annexin V/propidium iodide staining assays, and transmission electron microscopy showed that gossypol induced apoptotic cell death and apoptotic body formation in both cell lines. RNA sequencing analysis also showed that gossypol increased the mRNA levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) in pancreatic cancer cell lines. In addition, gossypol facilitated the cleavage of caspase-3 via protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), CHOP, and Bax/Bcl-2 upregulation in both cells, whereas the upregulation of ATF was limited to BxPC-3 cells. Finally, a three-dimensional culture experiment confirmed the successful suppression of cancer cell spheroids via gossypol treatment. Taken together, our data suggest that gossypol may trigger apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells via the PERK-CHOP signaling pathway. These findings propose a promising therapeutic approach to pancreatic cancer treatment using gossypol.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.634-641
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• 2016

The objective of this research was to investigate the in vivo effects of treatment with mulberry extract complex (MEC) on cartilage degeneration and pain severity in an experimental model of rat degenerative arthritis. Monosodium iodoacetate ($2mg/50{\mu}L$) was injected into right knee joints of rats, followed by administration of MEC for 8 weeks at 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of body weight. The experimental data show that treatment with MEC inhibited degradation of glycosaminoglycan and collagen in cartilage. On the other hand, concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, C-terminal telopeptide-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in serum decreased in comparison with the control. The MEC at all dose levels could inhibit formation of xylene-induced ear edema. In this study, MEC demonstrated significant anti-arthritis activity, which is required for improvement of degenerative arthritis. Based on these results, MEC may be employed for the development of new health foods to ease symptoms of degenerative arthritis.