• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.348-358
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• 2008

Objective : The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the anti-diarrhea effects of Jisa-tang using mice and guinea pigs. Methods : We feed Jisa-tang to mice and guinea pigs to investigate its effects for anti-diarrhea action. We observed its actions on gastrointestinal smooth muscles, on the transportability of small and large intestines, on diarrhea induced by castor oil and magnesium sulfate, and on enteropooling by castor oil and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$. Results : 1. Jisa-tang showed alleviation, depending on the density, only on the contraction of mice's gastrointestinal smooth muscles induced by histamine. 2. The transportability of the small intestine was not significantly constrained by Jisa-tang. However, the enhancement of pyridostigmine-induced transportability of he small intestine was significantly constrained in the group administered 900mg/kg of Jisa-tang (p<0.05). 3. The transportability of large intestine was significantly constrained in the group administered 1,800mg/kg of Jisa-tang. 4. Jisa-tang showed significant anti-diarrhea effects on diarrhea induced by castor oil and by $MgSO_4$ in the group administered 1,800mg/kg of Jisa-tang. 5. Significant reduction of effects of enteropooling induced by caster oil and by prostaglandin $E_2$ were observed only in the group administered 1,800mg/kg of Jisa-tang. Conclusions : We conclude that Jisa-tang has advantageous effects on drug-induced diarrhea and will contribute to the development of diarrhea treatment through further related studies.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory activities on gastritis and gastric ulcer using liriodendrin which is a constituent isolated from Kalopanax pictus. To elucidate its abilities to prevent gastric injury, we measured the quantity of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) as the protective factor, and we assessed inhibition of activities related to excessive gastric acid be notorious for aggressive factor and inhibition of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization known as a cause of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, and gastric cancer. Liriodendrin exhibited higher $PGE_2$ level than rebamipide used as a positive control group at the dose of $500{\mu}M$. It was also exhibited acid-neutralizing capacity (10.3%) and $H^+/K^+$-ATPase inhibition of 42.6% ($500{\mu}M$). In pylorus-ligated rats, liriodendrin showed lower volume of gastric juice ($4.38{\pm}2.14ml$), slightly higher pH ($1.53{\pm}0.41$), and smaller total acid output ($0.47{\pm}0.3mEq/4hrs$) than the control group. Furthermore liriodendrin inhibited colonization of H. pylori effectively. In vivo test, liriodendrin significantly inhibited both of HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis (46.9 %) and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer (46.1%). From these results, we suggest that liriodendrin could be utilized for the treatment and/or protection of gastritis and gastric ulcer.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.61-77
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Bee Venom (BV) and Cervi Cornu Parvum pharmacoacupuncture (CC) in monosodium iodide induced arthritis rats. Methods : The subjects were divided into 5 groups ; Normal, Control (no treatment after MIA), BV (Bee Venom pharmacoacupuncture $100{\mu}{\ell}$ daily at Dokbi (ST35) after inducing MIA), CC (Cervi Cornu Parvum pharmacoacupuncture $100{\mu}{\ell}$ dailyat Dokbi (ST35) after inducing MIA) and BV+CC (Bee Venom pharmacoacupuncture and Cervi Cornu Parvum pharmacoacupuncture $100{\mu}{\ell}$daily at Dokbi (ST35) after inducing MIA). After each operation, the present author observed the motor behavior recovery, hematological (Prostaglandin E2, AST, ALT), histological and immunological changes. Rats were tested at the 7th, 14th and 21st day. Results : Results are as follows. 1. All the experimental groups were improved compared with control group in plantar test. 2. All the experimental groups were improved compared with control group in touch test for sensory evaluator. 3. All the experimental groups were significantly decreased compared with control group in prostaglandin E2. 4. In histological observations, knee joint in all the experimental groups were improved compared with control group. 5. In immunological observations, all the experimental groups were significantly decreased compared with control group in COX-1, 2. Conclusions : It can be suggested that Bee venom and Cervi Cornu Parvum pharmacoacupuncture may improve motor behavior, hematological, histological and immunological findings in MIA-induced osetoarthritis rats. Especially, combination of these two treatments will be somewhat better in osteoarthritis recovery and motor function improvement.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.335-343
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• 2020

Background: Zhongyi paste is a traditional Chinese medicine herbal paste that is externally applied to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Methods: An acute foot swelling inflammation model in C57BL/6J mice was established by carrageenan-induced pathogenesis. Zhongyi paste raised the pain threshold and also reduced the degree of swelling in mice with carrageenan-induced foot swelling. Results: Analysis indicated that serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) cytokine levels and PGE₂ levels in the paw tissue of the mice were decreased by Zhongyi paste treatment. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot results showed that Zhongyi paste downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and also downregulated the mRNA expression of PGE₂. At the same time, the Zhongyi paste exerted a stronger effect as an external drug than that of indomethacin, which is an oral drug, and voltaren, which is an externally applied drug. Conclusions: Our results indicated that Zhongyi paste is a very effective drug to reduce inflammatory swelling of the foot, and its mechanism of action is related to regulation of the ERK1/2-COX-2-PGE₂ pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.117-125
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• 2007

Objectives : Berberine, a main alkaloid component of Coptidis rhizoma, has an antimicrobial and anti-tumor activities and antiinflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigated effect of berberine on the production of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin E2(PGE2), TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1${\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells, Methods : BV2 cells were pre-treated with berberine and then stimulated with LPS. The cytotoxicity of berberine was determined by MTT assay. The NO production was measured by Griess assay. The mRNA expression and protein levels of inducible nirtic oxide synthase(iNOS) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The production of PGE2 and cytokines was measured by ELISA. Results : Berberine inhibited the production of NO, PGE2 and pro inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1${\beta}$ in a dose dependent manner in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. In addition, berebrine greatly suppressed the mRNA expression and protein levels of iNOS and inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS stimulation. These results indicate that the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism of iNOS and/or inflammatory cytokine gene expression by berberine is involved in its anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. Conclusion : The present study suggests that berberine can be useful as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alsheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2006

Ilekudinol B is one of the flavonoids isolated from Weigela subsessilis (Caprifoliaceae). In the present study, the suppression effect of ilekudinol B on tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}-induced$ cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was investigated in human colon epithelial cell line HT-29. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) production and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). COX-2 and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Ilekudinol B significantly inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ secretion of IL-8 and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ from the human colon epithelial cell line HT-29 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ilekudinol B remarkably diminished $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ COX-2 expression and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 subunit translocation to the nucleus. In conclusion, our results indicate that ilekudinol B may have anti-inflammatory activity on $TNF-{\alpha}-dependent$ colonic inflammation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.277-285
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• 2008

Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer (Araliaceae, P. ginseng) has been used for the enhancement of vascular and immune functions in Korea and Japan for a long time. Ginsenoside $Rb_1$ and $Rg_3$ isolated from P. ginseng head-part butanolic extract (PGHB) were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity. Ginsenosides and PGHB did not affect the cell viability within $0\;-\;100\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration to RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. Ginsenosides and PGHB inhibited partly lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite production in a dose-dependent manner. The ginsenosides and PGHB showed partially chemical nitric oxide (NO) quenching (maximum 40%) in the cell-free system. Also, ginsenoside $Rb_1$ and $Rg_3$ inhibited markedly approximately 74 and 54% of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA transcription from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, the inhibitory effect of ginsenosides and PGHB on NO production did not occur as a result of cell viability, but was caused by both the chemical NO quenching and the regulation of iNOS. Additionally, the ginsenoside $Rb_1$ and PGHB inhibited prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, showed approximately 70-98% inhibition at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. And the treatment with ginsenosides and PGHB attenuated partially LPS-upregulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene transcription. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ suppressed LPS-stimulated interleukin-6 (IL-6) level to the basal in RAW 264.7 cells. From these results, ginsenoside $Rb_1,\;Rg_3$, and PGHB may be useful for the relief and retardation of immunological inflammatory responses and its action may occur through the reduction of inflammatory mediators, including NO, $PGE_2$, and IL-6 production.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.184-187
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• 2000

Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) plays an important role in the regulation of various gastric functions, and the growth-inhibitory activities on tumor cells are studied in vitro and in vivo. Although the mechanisms have attracted many researchers in the past decade, the molecular mechanisms of cell cycle arrest, or induction of apoptosis by $PGE_2$, is unclear. We investigated the effects of $PGE_2$ on the growth of the human gastric carcinoma cell line SNU1 and genes that are regulated by $PGE_2$ and isolated them using differential display RT-PCR (DD RT-PCR). FACS analysis suggested that SNU1 cells were arrested at the G1 phase by $PGE_2$ treatment. This growth inhibitory effect was in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Treatment of SNU1 cells with $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ $PGE_2$, followed by DD RT-PCR analysis, revealed differently expressed bands patterns from the control. Among the differently expressed clones, we found an unidentified cDNA clone (HGP-27) overexpressed in $PGE_2$-treated cells. The full-length cDNA of HGP-27 was isolated using RACE, which consisted of a 30-nt 5'-noncoding region, a 891-nt ORF encoding the 296 amino acid protein, and a 738-nt 3'-noncoding region including a poly(a) signal. This gene was localized on the short arm of chromosome number 11. Using the Motif Finder program, a myb-DNA binding repeat signature was detected on the ORF region. The COOH-terminal half was shown to have similarity with the $NH_3$-terminal domain of thioredoxin (Trx). This relation between HGP-27 and Trx implied a potential role for HGP-27 in modulating the DNA binding function of a transcription factor, myb.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.539-548
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• 2015

Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), a major product of cyclooxygenase, binds to four different prostaglandin $E_2$ receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) which are G-protein coupled transmembrane receptors (GPCRs). Although GPCRs including EP receptors have been shown to be associated with their specific G proteins, recent evidences suggest that GPCRs can regulate MAPK signaling via non-G protein coupled pathways including Src. EP2 is differentially expressed in various tissues and the expression of EP2 is induced by extracellular stimuli. We hypothesized that an increased level of EP2 expression may affect MAPK signaling. The overexpression of EP2 in HEK 293 cells resulted in significant increase in intracellular cAMP levels response to treatment with butaprost, a specific EP2 agonist, while overexpression of EP2 alone did not increase intracellular cAMP levels. However, EP2 overexpression in the absence of $PGE_2$ induced an increase in the level of p38 phosphorylation as well as the kinase activity of p38, suggesting that up-regulation of EP2 may promote p38 activation via non-G protein coupled pathway. Inhibition of Src completely blocked EP2-induced p38 phosphorylation and overexpression of Src increased the level of p38 phosphorylation, indicating that Src is upstream kinase for EP2-induced p38 phosphorylation. EP2 overexpression also increased the Src activity and EP2 protein was co-immunoprecipitated with Src. Furthermore, sequential co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that EP2, Src, and ${\beta}$-arrestin can form a complex. Our study found a novel pathway in which EP2 is associated with Src, regulating p38 pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.64-77
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• 2011

Objectives : 판람근(板藍根)은 십자화과에 속하는 대청(大靑) 또는 숭남의 근(根)을 건조한 것이다. 본 연구는 판람근(板藍根)이 청열해독(淸熱解毒)함에 근거하여, LPS로 활성화된 Raw264.7 cell에서 판람근(板藍根)과 그 성분중의 하나인 tryptanthrin이 염증매개물질에 미치는 효과를 살펴보고자 하였다. Methods : 세포생존율은 MTT, nitric oxide (NO)는 Griess reagent를 사용하여 측정하였으며, 각 단백질의 발현량은 Western blot 방법을 사용하였으며, cytokine 및 cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)는 ELISA방법을 사용하여 측정하였다. Results : LPS는 NO 및 prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)를 유의하게 상승시켰으며, 판람근(板藍根)추출물 (IRE) 및 tryptanthrin 은 이들을 유의하게 억제하였다. 그러나 판람근(板藍根)의 또 다른 성분인 indigo는 유의한 결과를 나타내지 못하였다. IRE와 tryptanthrin은 inhibitory kappa B alpha의 인산화를 억제하여, nuclear factor-${\kappa}$B (NF-${\kappa}$B)의 핵으로의 전위(轉位)를 억제하여, iNOS 및 cytokine을 억제하였다. IRE와 tryptanthrin의 PGE2 억제는, COX-2의 발현억제에서가 아니라, COX-2의 활성을 억제함에서 기인하였다. Conclusion : 이러한 결과는 판람근(板藍根)이 NF-${\kappa}$B pathway를 경유하여 iNOS의 발현 및 COX-2의 활성을 억제함을 나타내며, 이러한 판람근(板藍根)의 항염증효능은 일부 tryptanthrin의 작용에서 기인함을 시사한다.