• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2009

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in host defense by sensing invading microbial pathogens. The stimulation of TLRs by microbial components triggers the activation of the myeloid differential factor 88 (MyD88)- and toll-interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adapter inducing interferon-$\beta$ (TRIF)-dependent downstream signaling pathways. TLR/MyD88 signaling pathway induces the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and IL-$1{\beta}$. On the other hand, TLR/TRIF signaling pathway induces the delayed-activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), and the expression of type I interferons (IFNs) and IFN-inducible genes. The divalent heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is clearly toxic to most mammalian organ systems, especially the immune system. Yet, the underlying toxic mechanism(s) remain unclear. Cd inhibits the MyD88-dependent pathway by ceasing the activity of inhibitor-${\kappa}B$ kinase. However, it is not known whether Cd inhibits the TRIF-dependent pathway. Presently, Cd inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ and IRF3 activation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Cd inhibited LPS-induced IRF3 phosphorylation and IFN-inducible genes such as interferon inducible protein-10 and regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). These results suggest that Cd can modulate TRIF-dependent signaling pathways of TLRs.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2023

Pu-erh tea, a popular and traditional Chinese tea, possesses various health-promoting effects, including inhibiting tumor cell progression and preventing type II diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the precise anti-inflammatory mechanisms are not well understood. In present study, we elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pu-erh tea in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. We explored the effects of Pu-erh tea on the levels of inflammatory-related genes, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, we investigated its regulatory effects on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF)-κB and hypoxia-inducible-factor (HIF)-1α activation. The findings of this study demonstrated that Pu-erh tea inhibited the LPS-increased inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂ release, as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression. Moreover, we confirmed that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pu-erh tea occurs via the inhibition of NF-κB and HIF-1α activation. Conclusively, these findings provide experimental evidence that Pu-erh tea may be useful candidate in the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.757-764
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• 2014

Many researchers have studied algae as a source of material having potential biological activities, not least because many marine algae extracts have strong antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Pyropia yezoensis extract (PYE) on RAW 264.7 cells by measuring nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activity, inducible NOS (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (1L-$1{\beta}$), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$). PYE decreased the production of intracellular ROS dose-dependently and increased SOD and catalase activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. PYE significantly suppressed the production of NO and reduced the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-${\kappa}B$. PYE treatment also inhibited the production of IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ significantly and reduced the phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK significantly in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that PYE has potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.13-26
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• 2010

Objectives : The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Gamroeum water extracts (GRE) in vivo and in vitro. Methods : The effects of GRE on anti-inflammation were measured by production of NO, $PGE_2$ (Prostaglandin $E_2$), iNOS (inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase), COX-2, $NF{\kappa}B$ (Nuclear Factor kappa B), TNF-$\alpha$ (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) and IL-$1{\beta}$ (Interleukin-$1{\beta}$), IL-6 in Raw 264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with LPS. Results : 1. In machrophage cells, LPS displayed significant stimulatory effects on the production of NO and $PGE_2$. However, GRE showed significant inhibitory effects on NO and $PGE_2$ release. The level of NO and $PGE_2$ was decreased by GRE in a concentration dependent manner as compared with LPS only group. 2. Immunoblot analysis verified that LPS stimulation significantly increased the iNOS and COX-2 protein level, but GRE suppressed the induction of iNOS and COX-2 protein at a concentration dependent manner. 3. GRE reduced the elevated production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of GRE was occurred in a dose-dependent manner. 4. GRE significantly reduced the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ protein in nuclear fraction. 5. GRE effectively inhibited the increases of hind paw skin thicknesses and inflammatory cell infiltrations induced by carrageenan treatment. It, therefore, considered that GRE will be favorably inhibited the acute edematous inflammations. Conclusions : These results indicated that GRE could have anti-inflammatory capacity by inhibiting the production of NO, $PGE_2$ and cytokines in vitro and by reducing the formation of carrageenan-induced paw edema in vivo. Moreover, inhibitory effects of GRE on the macrophage activation were attributable to the reduction of some of inflammatory factors by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 through the suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.398-404
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• 2007

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are involved in various pathophysiological processes such as inflammation and carcinogenesis. In a search for inhibitors of COX-2 and iNOS production we found that extracts of Stewartia koreana strongly inhibited NO and $PGE_2$ production in LPS-treated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. We have now shown that the mRNA and protein levels of iNOS and COX-2 are reduced by the Stewartia koreana extract (SKE). SKE inhibited expression of an NF-${\kappa}B$ reporter gene in response to LPS, and gel mobility shift assays revealed that SKE reduced NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA-binding activity. The extract also inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ and nuclear translocation of p65. Administration of the extract reduced the symptoms of arthritis in a collagen-induced arthritic mouse model. These results indicate that Stewartia extracts contain potentially useful agents for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.119-125
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of rosmarinic acid (RA) and luteolin from perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) leaves in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. A combination of RA and luteolin more strongly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NOS (iNOS), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and COX-2 than higher concentrations of RA or luteolin alone in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The combined RA and luteolin synergistically inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, combined RA and luteolin more strongly suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation than RA or luteolin alone, by inhibiting the degradation of inhibitor of NF-${\kappa}B(I{\kappa}B)$-${\alpha}$ and nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-${\kappa}B$ in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Collectively, these results suggest that RA and luteolin in combination exhibit synergistic effects in suppression of LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.195-202
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• 2015

Cnidium monnieri (L). Cussion is used as a tonic agent in traditional oriental medicine. However, the molecular mechanism of mast cell-mediated anti-inflammatory modulation has not been fully understood. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effects of Cnidium monnieri (L). Cussion eathyl acetate fraction on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as to elucidate its mechanism of action in the human mast cell line (HMC-1). Cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187 in the presence or absence of Cnidium monnieri (L). Cussion eathyl acetate fraction. Cnidium monnieri (L). Cussion eathyl acetate fraction significantly inhibited the PMA plus A23187-induction of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. Moreover, EtOAc fraction attenuated cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. In activated HMC-1 cells, phosphorylation of extra-signal response kinase (ERK) 1/2 decreased after treatment with EtOAc fraction. Moreover EtOAc fraction inhibited PMA plus A23187-induced nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activation, $I{\kappa}B$ degradation. EtOAc fraction suppressed the expression of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-8 through a decrease in the ERK 1/2, as well as activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. These results indicated that Cnidium monnieri (L). Cussion EtOAc fraction exerted a regulatory effect on inflammatory reactions mediated by mast cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2015

In this study, anti-inflammatory activity of hot water extract of Aronia fruits (AF-H) was examined. Pre-treatment with AF-H significantly inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E-2 in a dose-dependent manner in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The inhibitory effect of AF-H on LPS-induced inflammation was also confirmed by down-regulation of inducible NO synthase as well as cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. Furthermore, treatment with AF-H significantly inhibited secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor-necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and interleukin-6. Signal transduction pathway studies further indicated that AF-H inhibited LPS-induced activation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase. Treatment with AF-H also partially protected against LPS-induced lethal shock in C57BL/6 mice, although its effect was not statistically significant. These results suggest that AF-H is a more promising nutraceutical or medicinal agent for inhibition of LPS-induced inflammation or inflammation-related diseases.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.442-451
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum miyabei Yendo ethanol extract (SMYEE) using RAW 264.7 cells and croton oil-induced Balb/c mice. SMYEE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$] and nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. In addition, SMYEE suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor-kappa B. Further, SMYEE inhibited the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extra cellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. In ear edema test, edema formation in the SMYEE treatment was lower than that in the positive control and was similar to that in the prednisolone treatment group. Photomicrographs of mice ear tissue showed a reduction in dermal thickness and number of infiltrated mast cells. Therefore, our results indicate that SMYEE exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of nuclear factor ${NF}-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK activation and can be used as a natural source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 2019

There have been no published studies concerning the anti-inflammatory effects of corn silk on colon cancer cells. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of corn silk extract containing high levels of maysin on inflammation and its mechanism of action in colon cancer cells. SW 480 human colon cancer cells were treated with $1{\mu}g/mL$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, and next they were treated with different concentrations of corn silk extract (0, 5, 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$). The concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were determined. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-1beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were determined. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and the latter consists of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase (p38). The concentration of NO and the mRNA expression of iNOS were significantly and dose-dependently decreased in the corn silk-treated groups (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were significantly increased in the LPS-treated group (P<0.05), but these expressions were significantly and dose-dependently decreased in the corn silk treated groups (P<0.05). The protein expressions of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (in a dose-dependent fashion), ERK (at 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$), JNK (at $15{\mu}g/mL$) and p38 (at 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$) were significantly decreased with corn silk treatments (P<0.05). In conclusion, corn silk extract containing high levels of maysin seems to inhibit the LPS-induced inflammatory responses in SW480 colon cancer cells via the $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway.