• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.40-59
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos in vitro, which has been frequently used in inflammatory diseases. Methods: In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos were evaluated by checking the following substances of LPS-activated Raw264.7 cell: Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), Nitric oxide (NO), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Interlukine-1β (IL-1β), Interlukine-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Inhibitor of kappa B-α (IκBα), Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). And additionally measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals to check the antioxidant effect of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos which affect inflammatory responses. Results: As a result of measuring anti-inflammatory efficacy, PGE2, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α production amounts were reduced in the ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos groups compared with the control group, and decreased the amount of COX-2 mRNA, iNOS mRNA gene expression. Expression of MAPK (ERK, JNK, p38) pathway was decreased. Expression of IκBα was increased and NF-κB was decreased. It is demonstrated that ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos, by reducing NF-κB, regulate the expression of the inflammatory genes and reduce the inflammatory mediators. Ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos also decreased ROS production and free radicals, which shown to have antioxidant efficacy and influence anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: These data suggest that ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos can be used to treat various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.730-735
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• 2012

Existing pharmaceutical studies show that Magnolia biondii is effective in treating rhinitis and in reducing cholesterol, given its endogenous, volatile ingredients. The study herein seeks to assess the cosmeceutical activities and anti-inflammatory activities of Magnolia biondii extracts for possible application as cosmetic ingredients. The cosmeceutical and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) inhibition, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression by Western blotting. Magnolia biondii extracts were identified to have antioxidant activities in hydroxyl free radical scavenging, SOD-like activity, and XO inhibition. In testing the anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts, NO production was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, in a dose-dependent manner, the Magnolia biondii extracts were able to suppress iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. From these results, Magnolia biondii showed adequate potential for application in cosmetic production and related industries as well as a functional material.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2018

Background: This present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects of Aucklandia lappa Decne (AL). Methods and Results: We measured cytotoxicity, nitric oxide (NO) content, mRNA expression (iNOS, IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$), protein expression (iNOS, COX-2, and $I{\kappa}B$) and phagocytic activity in RAW264.7 cells. Male BALB/c mice were fed 100 mg/kg AL (Aucklandia lappa Decneon 70% ethanol extract) and 250 mg/kg AL for 4 weeks; thereafter, we observed B/T or $CD4^+/CD8^+$ lymphocyte subpopulation change, and expression patterns of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ lymphocytes by immunohistochemical staining in mouse splenocytes and/or thymocytes. To determine the experimental concentration of AL, cell viability was measured by MTT assay and tested at $12.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ or less. AL inhibited the levels of NO, lymphokine production (IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$), and mRNA (iNOS, IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$) and protein (iNOS, and COX-2) expression. Additionally, the levels of $I{\kappa}B$, phagocytic activity, and splenic and thymic T lymphocytes, especially $T_H$ and $T_C$ cells were significantly increased in AL administered mice. The immuno-reactive density of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ lymphocytes was stronger in AL groups than in the normal group. AL stimulated NO, iNOS, and COX-2, and regulated IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and $I{\kappa}B$ in macrophages treated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide). In addition, AL increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages and the immunity of mouse T ($T_H$, and $T_C$) cells. Conclusions: These results suggested that AL might show anti-inflammatory activity via the suppression of various inflammatory markers and immuno-regulatory activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1179-1185
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• 2008

The immune-stimulating activities of Bordetella bronchiseptica antigens containing dermonecrotoxin (BBD) loaded in chitosan microspheres (CMs) have already been reported in vitro and in vivo with a mouse alveolar macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) and mice. Therefore, this study attempted to demonstrate the successful induction of mucosal immune responses after the intranasal administration of BBD loaded in CMs (BBD-CMs) in colostrum-deprived pigs. The BBD was introduced to the CMs using an ionic gelation process involving tripolyphosphate (TPP). Colostrum-deprived pigs were then directly immunized through intranasal administration of the BBD-CMs. A challenge with a field isolate of B. bronchiseptica was performed ten days following the final immunization. The BBD-specific IgG and IgA titers, evident in the nasal wash and serum from the vaccinated pigs, increased with time (p<0.05). Following the challenge, the clinical signs of infection were about 6-fold lower in the vaccinated pigs compared with the nonvaccinated pigs. The grades for gross morphological changes in the turbinate bones from the vaccinated pigs were also significantly lower than the grades recorded for the nonvaccinated pigs (p<0.001). Therefore, the mucosal and systemic immune responses induced in the current study would seem to indicate that the intranasal administration of BBD-CMs may be an effective vaccine against atrophic rhinitis in pigs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.479-487
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• 2016

Recently, various marine algae have been considered as a natural resource for anti-inflammation. In this research, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of Ulva pertusa Kjellman ethanol extract (UPKEE). This study showed that UPKEE inhibited the secretion of cytokines including IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$, and reduced the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as well as iNOS and COX-2. In the formation of mouse ear edema test, three doses (10, 50, 250 mg/kg body weight) of UPKEE showed inhibitory activity after inducing inflammation using croton oil. In conclusion, we found that UPKEE showed an inhibitory effect on $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPKs, and reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. This result suggests that UPKEE can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory resource in food industry.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.115-121
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• 2014

Humulus japonicus is an ornamental plant in the Cannabaceae family. Although the mode of action of Humulus japonicus is not fully understood, a strong relationship was observed between anti-inflammatory and anticancer in some types of cells. Recent studies also have shown that Humulus japonicus possesses anti-inflammatory activities and may significantly improve antioxidant potential in Raw 264.7 macrophage cells. Thus, the aim of this study was evaluated the effect of Humulus japonicus extract on sperm motility and subsequent preimplantation developmental competence of the bovine embryos. After in vitro maturation, the oocytes with sperms were exposed in in vitro fertilization (IVF) medium supplemented with Humulus japonicus extract (0.01, 0.05, $0.1{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) for 1 day. In our results, exposure of IVF medium to Humulus japonicus extract did not affect sperm motility and percentage of penetrated oocytes but ROS intensity was significantly decreased by $0.01{\mu}g/mL$ compared with other groups (p< 0.05). Moreover, treatment with $0.01{\mu}g/mL$ of Humulus japonicus extract was higher the frequency of blastocyst formation than the any other groups (p<0.05). Otherwise, treatment with $0.01{\mu}g/mL$ of Humulus japonicus extract not increased the total cell number but reduced apoptotic-positive nuclei number. In conclusion, our results indicate that supplementation of Humulus japonicus extract in IVF medium may have important implications for improving early embryonic development in bovine embryos.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.549-554
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• 2018

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts from common and tartary buckwheat milling fractions (hull, bran, and flour). The results indicated that total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were higher in tartary buckwheats than in common buckwheats, which was related to high rutin levels. In particular, the highest rutin content was detected in the bran fraction. ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities of tartary buckwheats were higher than those of common buckwheats, especially in bran. Cellular antioxidant activity of tartary buckwheat milling fractions was more pronounced than that of common buckwheat in both Caco-2 and Raw 264.7 cells, demonstrating the higher cellular antioxidant effect of tartary buckwheat bran. The cytotoxic effect of both common and tartary buckwheat milling fractions on cell proliferation was not significant. These results suggest that tartary buckwheat bran may have much potential for usefulness in protective and therapeutic antioxidant applications.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.221-225
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• 2012

The anti-inflammatory effects of Undaria pinnatifida water extract (UPWE) were investigated using lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in this study. To examine the potential anti-inflammatory properties of UPWE, the cell proliferation, nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) and IL-$1{\beta}$ were measured. As a result, there was no cytotoxicity in the macrophage proliferation treated with UPWE compared to the control. NO levels decreased with increasing concentration of UPWE. Moreover, the secretion of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ were suppressed in a dose-dependent manner, and IL-6 inhibition activities were over 50% at 0.1%. These results suggested that UPWE may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic materials.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.790-798
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• 2020

Background: Beneficial effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear. Methods: We examined whether pretreatment (daily from 2 hours before PCOS induction) with KRG extract in water (KRGE; 75 and 150 mg/kg/day, p.o.) could exert a favorable effect in a dehydroepian-drosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rat model. Results: Pretreatment with KRGE significantly inhibited the elevation of body and ovary weights, the increase in number and size of ovarian cysts, and the elevation of serum testosterone and estradiol levels induced by DHEA. Pretreatment with KRGE also inhibited macrophage infiltration and enhanced mRNA expression levels of chemokines [interleukin (IL)-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase in ovaries induced by DHEA. It also prevented the reduction in mRNA expression of growth factors (epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta (EGF, TGF-β)) related to inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell pathway and stimulation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 pathway. Interestingly, KRGE or representative ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3(s)) inhibited the activity of inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 and iNOS, cytosolic p-IκB, and nuclear p-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, whereas they increased nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 nuclear translocation. Conclusion: These results provide that KRGE could prevent DHEA-induced PCOS via antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Thus, KRGE may be used in preventive and therapeutic strategies for PCOS-like symptoms.

• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.236-243
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• 2012

Pleurotus nebrodensis is an edible and commercially available mushroom in Korea. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the anticancer and immunopotentiating activities of crude polysaccharides, extracted in methanol, neutral saline, and hot water (hereafter referred to as Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr. HW, respectively) from the fruiting bodies of P. nebrodensis. ${\beta}$-Glucan and protein contents in Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr. HW extracts of P. nebrodensis ranged from 23.79~36.63 g/100 g and 4.45~6.12 g/100 g, respectively. Crude polysaccharides were not cytotoxic against sarcoma 180, HT-29, NIH3T3, and RAW 264.7 cell lines at a range of $10{\sim}2,000{\mu}g/mL$. Intraperitoneal injection with crude polysaccharides resulted in a life prolongation effect of 11.76~27.06% in mice previously inoculated with sarcoma 180. Treatment with Fr. NaCl resulted in an increase in the numbers of spleen cells by 1.49 fold at the concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$, compared with control. Fr. HW improved the immuno-potentiating activity of B lymphocytes through an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity by 1.65 fold, compared with control at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Maximum production of nitric oxide ($14.3{\mu}M$) was recorded in the Fr. NaCl fraction at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was significantly higher, compared to control, and IL-6 production was highest, in contrast to TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and positive control, concanavalin at the tested concentration of the various fractions. Results of the current study suggest that polysaccharides extracted from P. nebrodensis have a strong anticancer effect and may be useful as an ingredient of biopharmaceutical products for treatment of cancer.