• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2001

Rebamipide is a novel anti-gastric ulcer agent that has been reported to increase the synthesis of mucus, to increase the mucosal concentration of prostaglandin, and to promote rapid ulcer healing. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two rebamipide tablets, $Mucosta^{TM}$ (Otsuka Korea Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and $Rebamide^{TM}$ (Kyung Dong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The rebamipide release from the two rebamipide tablets in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method at pH 6.8 dissolution media. Twenty normal male volunteers, $24.20{\pm}2.26$ years in age and $66.19{\pm}9.41\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 100 mg of rebamipide was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of rebamipide in serum were determined using HPLC method with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two rebamipide tablets were very similar at pH 6.8 dissolution media. Besides, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t$, $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets based on the $Mucosta^{TM}$ were -2.57%, 5.77% and -1.47%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $({\Delta})$ at ${\alpha}=0.05$ and $1-{\beta}=0.8$ were less than 20% (e.g., 12.62% and 17.63% for $AUC_t,\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). The powers $(1-{\beta})$ at ${\alpha}=0.05$, ${\Delta}=0.2$ for $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$ were above 99.00% and 88.56%, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals were within ${\pm}20%$ (e.g., $-9.96{\sim}4.82$ and $-4.54{\sim}16.09$ for $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). Two parameters met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence, indicating that $Rebamide^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Mucosta^{TM}$ tablet.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.247-251
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• 2004

UV radiation exerts various influences in the skin, including photoaging and inflammation (1). The MMPs (Matrix metalloproteinases), which are induced by UV irradiation, can degrade matrix proteins, and these results in a collagen deficiency in photodamaged skin that leads to skin wrinkling. It has been known that the production of PGE$_2$ stimulates MMPs expression, and inhibits procollagen (2). Thus, it is possible that the induction of MMPs and the inhibition of matrix protein synthesis by UV -induced PGE$_2$ may play some role in UV-induced collagen deficiency in photoaged skin. Fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP), a glycolytic metabolite, is reported to have cytoprotective effects against ischemia and postischemic reperfusion injury of brain and heart, presumably by augmenting anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism (3). And also, FDP significantly prevent skin aging by decreasing facial winkle compared with vehicle alone after 6 months of use. We studied the mechanism of anti-aging effect of FDP on UVB-irradiated HaCaT keratinocyte model. FDP has protective role in UVB injured keratinocyte by attenuating prostaglandin E$_2$ (PGE$_2$) production and COX-2 expression. And FDP also suppressed UVB-induced MMP-2 expression. Further, to delineate the inhibition of UVB-induced COX-2 and MMPs expression with cell signaling pathways, treatment of FDP to HaCaT keratinocytes resulted in marked inhibition of UVB-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK. It also prevents UV induced NFB translocation, which are activated by cellular inflammatory signal. Our results indicate that FDP has protecting effects in UV-injured skin aging by decreasing UVB-induced COX-2 and MMPs expression, which are possibly through blocking UVB-induced signal cascades.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2021

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Sogyunghwalhyel-tang-gamibang (SGHHTGB) in cell and animal models and also to suggest one of putative mechanisms underlying its anti-arthritic effects. Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to measure the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in culture medium and blood serum and nitric oxide (NO) was assayed by Griess reagent. The expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were analyzed by Western blot method. Results In a cell model using RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the drug, at its non-cytotoxic concentrations, inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. In addition, it suppressed the expression of the inflammatory enzyme iNOS and COX-2, and reduced the synthesis of the enzyme product NO (as stable nitrite) and PGE2 in activated macrophages. Meanwhile, in an animal model using rheumatic arthritis (RA) mice induced with injection of type II collagen antibody (CAb) and LPS, the drug improved clinical symptom of arthritis and reduced paw thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration. In blood of RA mice, the drug reduced serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, nitrite, and PGE2, all inflammatory mediators produced by activated macrophages. Conclusions SGHHTGB may ameliorate CAb and LPS-induced RA in mice, presumably by inactivating macrophages that are capable of initiating joint inflammation by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and expressing inflammatory enzymes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.210-219
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• 2004

Extracellular $K^{+}$ concentration ([ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ ) can be increased within several mM by the efflux of intracellular $K^{+}$. To investigate the effect of an increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ on vascular contractility, we attempted to examine whether extracellular $K^{+}$ might modulate vascular contractility, endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) and intracellular $Ca^2$$^{+}$ concentration ([C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ ) in endothelial cells (EC). We observed isometric contractions in rabbit carotid, superior mesenteric, basilar arteries and movse aorta. [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ was recorded by microfluorimeter using Fura-2/AM in EC. No change in contractility was recorded by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM in conduit artery such as rabbit carotid artery. whereas resistant vessels, such as basilar and branches of superior mesenteric arteries (SMA), were relaxed by the increase. In basilar artery, the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ to from 1 to 3 mM was bigger than that by the increase from 6 to 12 mM. In contrast, in branches of SMA, the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ to from 6 to 12 mM is bigger than that by the increase from 1 to 3 mM. $Ba^2$$^{+}$ (30 $\mu$M) did not inhibit the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 1 to 3 mM but did inhibit the relaxation by the increase from 6 to 12 mM. In the mouse aorta without the endothelium or treated with $N^{G}$_nitro-L-arginine (30 $\mu$M), nitric oxide synthesis blocker, the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM did not change the magnitude of contraction induced either norepinephrine or prostaglandin $F_2$$_{\alpha}$. The increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ up to 12 mM did not induce contraction of mouse aorta but the increase more than 12 mM induced contraction. In the mouse aorta, EDR was completely inhibited on increasing [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM. In cultured mouse aorta EC, [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , was increased by acetylcholine or ATP application and the increased [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , was reduced by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ reversibly and concentration-dependently. In human umbilical vein EC, similar effect of extracellular $K^{+}$ was observed. Ouabain, a N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$ pump blocker, and N $i^2$$^{+}$, a N $a^{+}$ - $Ca^2$$^{+}$ exchanger blocker, reversed the inhibitory effect of extracellular $K^{+}$. In resistant arteries, the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ relaxes vascular smooth muscle and the underlying mechanisms differ according to the kinds of the arteries; $Ba^2$$^{+}$-insensitive mechanism in basilar artery and $Ba^2$$^{+}$ -sensitive one in branches of SMA. It also inhibits [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , increase in EC and thereby EDR. The initial mechanism of the inhibition may be due to the activation of N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$pump. activation of N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$pump.p.p.p.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.187-208
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• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.221-232
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• 1988

Studies were conducted to determine whether reduced renal blood flow (RBF) exhibited by rats with uncontrolled, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes is attributable to diabetes-associated, enhanced renal vasoconstrictor influence of endogenous thromboxane $(TX)A_2$. Rats which were injected with STZ after pretreatment with 3-O-methyl glucose (3OMG), an agent which prevents STZ-induced hyperglycemia, were also studied. Basal values of total RBF (RBF; ml $min^{-1}$ $gKw^{-1}$; electromagnetic flow probe), systemic arterial pressure (BP; mm Hg) and renal vascular resistance (RVR;BP $RBF^{-1})$in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats during a control period were $5.9{\pm}0.3$(P<0.1_{VS}. CR), $115{\pm}3$ and $20.3{\pm}1.0$(P<0.1_{VS}. CR) for STZR (n=15), and $8.4{\pm}0.4$, $123{\pm}3$ and $15.1{\pm}0.8$ for age-matched control rats (CR; n= 15), respectively. Basal values of RBF, BP and RVR in 3OMG pretreated STZR were identical to CR. In preparations shown capable of renal vasodilatation, OKY 1581 (1 mg/kg, i.v. followed by 0.4 mg/kg min infusion) abolished arachidonate-induced $(TX)A_2$ synthesis, but did not alter basal BP, RBF or RVR in either STZR or CR (n=4/group). Similarly, i.r.a. infusion of SQ29548 (100 ng/ml RBF) abolished renal vasoconstriction induced by a TX/prostaglandin endoperoxide mimic, U46619, but had no discern able affect on RVR in either STZR (n=8) or CR (n=8). The data indicates that $TXA_2$ does not participate in the elevated basal RVR of STZR which are associated with the diabetic state.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.929-937
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) (ethanol : DW=1:1, v/v) on inhibition of type 2 diabetes using an OLETF rat model via regulation of HbA1c and AGEs levels. Supplementation with ASE 0.1% and 0.5% effectively lowered levels of glucose, insulin, oral glucose tolerance test, and Homa-insulin resistance, suggesting reduced insulin resistance. Blood levels of HbA1c and AGEs were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. As oxidative stress plays a key role in accelerating production of HbA1c and AGEs, which worsen symptoms of type 2 diabetes, levels of malonaldehyde and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. Lipid peroxidation in both blood and liver tissues was significantly reduced, and induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-${\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, which elevate production of HbA1c and AGEs, was inhibited (P<0.05). To evaluate the possible cellular events after AGEs receptor activation, genetic expression of protein kinase C (PKC)-${\delta}$ and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Supplementation with both ASE 0.1% and 0.5% significantly inhibited mRNA expression of PKC-${\delta}$ and TGF-${\beta}$, indicating that ASE may have beneficial effects on preventing insulin-resistant cells or tissues from progressing to diabetic complications. Taken together, ASE has potential to improve type 2 diabetes by inhibiting insulin resistance and protein glycosylation, including production of HbA1c and AGEs. Anti-oxidative activities of ASE are a main requisite for reducing production of HbA1c and AGEs and are also related to regulation of the PKC signaling pathway, resulting in suppression of TGF-${\beta}$, which increases synthesis of collagen, prostaglandin, and disease-related proteins.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2004

The human skin is constantly exposed to environmental irritants such as ultraviolet, smoke, chemicals. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by these environmental facts play critical roles in cellular damage. These irritants are in themselves damaging to the skin structure but they also participate the immensely complex inflammatory reaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skin cell protective effect of Juniperus chinensis xylem extract on the UV and SLS-induced skin cell damages. We tested free radical and superoxide scavenging effect in vitro. We found that Juniperus chinensis xylem extracts had potent radical scavenging effect by 98％ at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. Fluorometric assays of the proteolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase-l(MMP-1, collagenase) were performed using fluorescent collagen substrates. UV A induced MMP-1 synthesis and activity were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gelatin-based zymography in skin fibroblasts. The extract of Juniperus chinensis showed strong inhibitory effect on MMP-1 activities by 97％ at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL and suppressed the UVA induced expression of MMP-1 by 79％ at 25 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. This extract also showed strong inhibition on MMP-2 activity in UVA irradiated fibroblast by zymography. We also examined anti-inflammatory effects by the determination test of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 in HaCaT keratinocytes. In this test Juniperus chinensis decreased expression of interleukin 6 about 30％. Expression of prostaglandin E$_2$, (PGE$_2$) after UVB irradiation was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using PGE$_2$ monoclonal antibody. At the concentrations of 5-50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of the extracts, the production of PGE$_2$ by HaCaT keratinocytes (24 hours after 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ UVB irradiation) was significantly inhibited in culture supernatants (p〈0.05). The viability of cultured HaCaT keratinocytes was significantly reduced at the doses of above 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ of UVB irradiation, but the presence of these extracts improved cell viability comparing to control after UVB irradiation. We also investigated the protective effect of this extract in sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-induced irritant skin reactions from 24 hour exposure. Twice a day application of the extract for reducing local inflammation in human skin was done. Irritant reactions were assessed by various aspects of skin condition, that is, erythema (skin color reflectance) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). After 5 days the extract was found to reduce SLS-induced skin erythema and improve barrier regeneration when compared to untreated symmetrical test site. In conclusion, our results suggest that Juniperus chinensis can be effectively used for the prevention of UV and SLS-induced adverse skin reactions such as radical production, inflammation and skin cell damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.796-804
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• 2011

Microglia are central nervous system (CNS)-resident professional macrophages that function as the principal immune cells responding to pathological stimulations in the CNS. Activation of microglia, induced by various pathogens, protects neurons and maintains homeostasis in the CNS, but severe activation causes inflammatory responses secreting various neurotoxic molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Allium fistulosum, a member of the onion family, is mainly cultivated for consumption, as well as medicinal use in Oriental medicine. It has been reported that A. fistulosum has various biological effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-fungus and anti-cholesterol synthesis, however there has been no research about the anti-inflammatory effects of A. fistulosum extracts. In this study, it was undertaken to explore the functions of A. fistulosum as a suppressor of neuronal inflammation by using BV2 microglia cells. As a result, it was found that four kinds of extracts of A. fistulosum effectively reduced the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at both mRNA and protein levels, and also attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at the mRNA level in BV2 stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the extracts of A. fistulosum attenuated the release of NO markedly, as well as resulting in slight decreases of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production, the effects of which were most significant when treated with ethyl alcohol extract from the whole A. fistulosum. In conclusion, the data indicated that the anti-inflammatory actions of A. fistulosum against BV2 microglia cells is through the down-regulation of iNOS, COX2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, and these effects are expected to help in the protection of nerve tissues by suppressions of neuronal inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases.