• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2008

We previously reported that anti-inflammatory properties of poncirin, isolated from fruit of Poncirus trifoliata, might be the result from the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis $factor-{\acute{a}}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) expression via the down-regulation of $NF{-\kappa}B$ binding activity. In this study, we investigated whether poncirin has an inhibitory effect on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators ex vivo and whether poncirin could relieve the symptoms of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice model of inflammatory bowel disease. Poncirin significantly inhibited the productions of NO, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse peritoneal macrophage. In addition, poncirin-treated mice when compared to control mice not receiving treatment recovered better from the weight loss caused by DSS-induced colitis. Changes in disease activity index (DAI) of poncirin-treated mice were also more favorable than for control mice and were comparable with mice treated with a typical anti-inflammatory-drug, 5-aminosalichylic acid (5-ASA). In addition, suppression of plasma NO and IL-6 productions of poncirin-treated mice was also observed in DSS-induced colitis. These results suggest that poncirin has potentially useful anti-inflammatory effects mediated by suppression of inflammatory mediator productions.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.87-93
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• 2010

Objectives : The oriental medicine Jangwonhwan originally described in the Korean medical text, DonguiBogam(amnesia chapter). Recently, a modified formula of Jangwonhwan(LMK02-Jangwonhwan), was shown to reduce $\beta$-amyloid deposition in the brain of Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model for Alzheimer's disease. This experiment aimed to investigate the acute oral toxicity of LMK02 in SD rats by up-and-down procedure determinations. Methods : Quality control of tablet form of LMK02 was established by estimating indicative components, Ginsenoside Rg3 of Red Ginseng and Decursin of Angelicagigas Nakai. The toxicity of LMK02 was investigated in 6 week old, specific pathogen free(SPF), Sprageu-Dawley rats. 3 female rats received 5,000 mg/10 ml/kg of test substance and their death rate, clinical sings, weight changes and autopsy findings had been observed for 2 weeks. Results : Any specific symptoms or death were resulted in this experiment. No significant changes in rats' weight. No significant differences in atopsy. Conclusions : The minimum lethal dose(MLD) of LMK02 for female Sprauge-Dawley rats were more than 5,000mg/kg in this experiment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.302-309
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• 2010

Oxidative stress has been implicated in cutaneous damage in various inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Atoberry is the herb medicine extract which is composed with Spirodelae Herba, Xanthii Fructus, Houttuyniae Herba, Taraxaci Herba, Retinervus Luffae Fructus, Platycodi Radix, and Scutellariae Radix. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Atoberry in AD-like skin lesion NC/Nga mice. Murine AD-like skin lesions were made by painting Dermatophagoides farinse (Df) extract. Atoberry significantly increased electron donating ability (DPPH), nitrite scavenging (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in dose dependant. Topically applied Atoberry significantly reduced clinical severity score, ear thickness and histological grade in AD-like skin lesion NC/Nga mice. In addition, the serum levels of IgE, NO and prostaglandin E2 were significantly reduced by Atoberry. Futhermore, skin tissue levels of SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly reduced by Atoberry. These results demonstrate that topical application of Atoberry may be improve the AD-like skin lesion by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.62-64
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• 2008

A major hurdle to the development of RNA interference as therapy for HIV infection is the delivery of siRNA to T lymphocytes which are difficult cells to transfect even in vitro. We have employed a single chain antibody to the pan T cell surface antigen CD7 was conjugated to an oligo-9-arginine peptide (scFvCD7-9R) for T cell-specific siRNA delivery in NOD/SCIDIL2${\gamma}$-/- mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (Hu-PBL). Using a novel delivery, we first show that scFvCD7-9R efficiently delivered CD4 siRNA into human T cells in vitro. In vivo administration to Hu-PBL mice resulted in reduced levels of surface CD4 expression on T cells. Mice infected with HIV-1 and treated on a weekly basis with scFvCD7-9R-siRNA complexes targeting a combination of viral genes and the host coreceptor molecule CCR5 successfully maintained CD4/CD3 T cell ratios up to 4 weeks after infection in contrast to control mice that displayed a marked reduction in CD4 T cell numbers. p24 antigen levels were undetectable in 3 of the 4 protected mice. scFvCD7-9R/antiviral siRNA treatment also helped maintain CD4 T cell numbers with reduced plasma viral loads in Hu-PBL mice reconstituted with PBMC from donors seropositive for HIV, indicating that this method can contain viral replication even in established HIV infections. Our results show that scFvCD7-9R could be further developed as a potential therapeutic for HIV-1 infection.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.7-10
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• 2012

Objectives: The root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (Lithospermi Radix, LR) is a kind of heat clearing and blood cooling medicinal herbs. It can clear away heat and cool the blood, reduce toxins and disperse maculae. LR has long been used as efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Methods: In the present study, we investigate anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of LR by using the 1-fluoro-2, 4- dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis mouse model. Results: Topical application of 10 mg/mL of LR effectively inhibited skin lesions induced by repeated paintings with DNFB. Topical application of LR also inhibited hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis and infiltrations of mononuclear cells. In addition, production levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG1 in serum were decreased by using LR in vivo. Conclusions: These data suggest that LR acts as an antiinflammatory agent, improving skin lesions in CD mice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.603-608
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• 2005

We recently isolated a novel probiotic strain, Lactobacillus fermentum PL9005 (KCCM-10250), from infant feces and showed that it had a potential immunoenhancing effect. In the present study, a safety assessment of the bacteria was performed using a BALB/c mouse model. Mice were administered with L. fermentum PL9005 daily for 28 days. There were no detectable changes in body weight, feed intake, or clinical signs, and no significant difference in hematological parameters or blood biochemistry between the L. fermentum PL9005-fed and control groups. Bacterial translocation was detected in the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen of some mice with and without L. fermentum PL9005 feeding, however, the organisms were not related to ingestion of L. fermentum PL9005; this was confirmed by PCR using a species-specific primer. No gross lesions were detected in the liver, spleen, or intestine of L. fermentum PL9005-fed or control mice. Mucosal thickness in the ileum, cecum, and colon of L. fermentum PL9005-fed mice was not significantly different from that of corresponding organs in control mice. No inflammation or epithelial cell degeneration in the intestines was observed in any mice. These results indicate that ingestion of L. fermentum PL9005 is safe in mice and can be applied in the functional food market.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.33-45
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• 2012

Objectives: Recent data have revealed that the plasma concentration of inflammatory mediators is increased in the insulin-resistant states of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic and anti-obesity effect of Massa Medicata Fermentata on obese type 2 diabetes mice. Methods: In order to examine the effects of Massa Medicata Fermentata, obese type 2 diabetes mice induced by Surwit's high fat, high sucrose diet. Mice were divided into 4 groups of ND (normal diet), HFD (high fat and high sucrose diet), Met (high fat and high sucrose diet with metformin) and MMF (high fat and high sucrose diet with Massa Medicata Fermentata) and investigated over 8 weeks. Diabetic and obese clinical markers, including body weight, glucose level, lipid level, leptin concentration, epididymal fat pad and liver weights and adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) were determined. Results: Compared with the HFD group, body weight, fructosamine, triglyceride, epididymal fat pad weight and ATM were significantly reduced in the MMF group. Conclusions: From the above results, the intake of Massa Medicata Fermentata may be effective in anti-hyperglycemia and anti-obesity by the attenuation of glucose and lipid levels and also inflammation state. Massa Medicata Fermentata may be beneficial for controlling diabetes mellitus type 2 in humans.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.104-112
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• 2006

We previously reported that DA-9601, ethanol herbal extract of Artemisia asiatica, inhibited histamine and leukotriene releases in guinea pig lung mast cells activated with specific antigen/antibody reaction. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of DA-9601 on the OVA-induced airway inflammation in allergic asthma mouse model. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. DA-9601 was administered orally 1 h before every local OVA-challenge. OVA-specific serum IgE was measured by ELISA, recruitment of inflammatory cells in BAL fluids and lung tissues by Diff-Quik and H&E staining, respectively, the expressions of CD40, CD40L and VCAM-1 by immunohistochemistry, goblet cell hyperplasia by PAS staining, activities of MMPs by gelatin zymography, expressions of mRNA and proteins of cytokines by RT-PCR and ELISA, activities of MAP kinases by western blot, and activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ by EMSA. DA-9601 reduced IgE level, recruitment of inflammatory cells into the BAL fluid and lung tissues, expressions of CD40, CD40L and VCAM-1 molecules, goblet cell hyperplasia, MMPs activity, expressions of mRNA and productions of various cytokines, activities of MAP kinases and NK-${\kappa}B$ increased from OVA-challenged mice. These data suggest that DA-9601 may be developed as a clinical therapeutic agent in allergic diseases due to suppressing the airway allergic inflammation via regulation of various cellular molecules expressed by MAP kinases/NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2013

Presence of Helicobacter pylori is associated with an increased risk of developing upper gastrointestinal tract diseases. Antibiotic therapy and a combination of two or three drugs have been widely used to eradicate H. pylori infections. Due to antibiotic resistant drugs, new drug resources are needed such as plants which contain antibacterial compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of GutGard$^{TM}$ to inhibit H. pylori growth both in Mongolian gerbils and C57BL/6 mouse models. Male Mongolian gerbils were infected with the bacteria by intragastric inoculation ($2{\times}10^9$ CFU/gerbil) 3 times over 5 days and then orally treated once daily 6 times/week for 8 weeks with 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg GutGard$^{TM}$. After the final administration, biopsy samples of the gastric mucosa were assayed for bacterial identification via urease, catalase and ELISA assays as well as immunohistochemistry (IHC). In the Mongolian gerbil model, IHC and ELISA assays revealed that GutGard$^{TM}$ inhibited H. pylori colonization in gastric mucosa in a dose dependent manner. The anti-H. pylori effects of GutGard$^{TM}$ in H. pylori-infected C57BL/6 mice were also examined. We found that treatment with 25 mg/kg GutGard$^{TM}$ significantly reduced H. pylori colonization in mice gastric mucosa. Our results suggest that GutGard$^{TM}$ may be useful as an agent to prevent H. pylori infection.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent form of oral cancer and holds the eighth position in the cancer incidence ranking. OSCC patients are treated by classical therapeutic modalities consisting of surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. But OSCC still shows significant mortality rates. Thus, new therapeutic approaches have been investigated and the most promising one is naturally acquired agents with known anti-cancer effects. Genistein is a compound extracted from soy bean. Its anti-cancer effect on breast cancer is well established now and it is investigated whether it has similar effect on OSCC. It inhibited the growth and invasive-ness of OSCC cells in vitro, but these effects did not work in living animals in vivo. Catechin is a compound from green tea and its anti-cancer effect on OSCC is known better than other agents. Catechin showed its anti-cancer effect in vitro via induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of growth, and down-regulation of invasion/metastasis. These effects were confirmed in vivo with mouse model. Cordycepin is one of major pharmacologically important components in Cordyceps Militaris and may exert its anti-cancer effect as an adenosine receptor agonist. In recent study, it inhibited the proliferation of OSCC cells via A3 adenosine receptor. But because there is very scarce evidence on this effect, more researches are needed on this theme.