• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 2018

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in various diseases, including ulcerative colitis, Behcet's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Morus alba L. extracts obtained using different extraction methods (water extraction or high temperature extraction) on RAW264.7 cells. Methods and Results: Extracts from the central part (including the heartwood, sapwood, cambiun, and phloem) and bark (including the periderm and cortex) of Morus alba L. were obtained using either water or high temperature extraction. The following extract were obtained: MA1, water extract from the central part of Morus alba L., MA2, high temperature extract from the central part of Morus alba L., MA3, water extract from the bark of Morus alba L., and MA4, high temperature extract from the bark of Morus alba L. None of these extracts was observed to be cytotoxic to RAW264.7 cells. The MA2 extract reduced the production of LPS-induced NO (nitric oxide), $PGE_2$ (prostaglandin $E_2$), $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusions: These results indicated that the inflammatory response was moderated by MA2. Treatment with MA2 could be used as a natural medicine for treating diseases involving inflammation. However, further experiments are required to determine how the high temperature extraction method alters the active ingredients in the extract and influences the anti-inflammatory effects of Morus alba L..

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.5
• /
• pp.786-791
• /
• 1996

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown origin charicterized by degenerative fibrotic and inflammatory changes in the skin, vessels, joints, muscles, and visceral organs. Involvement of the lung in systemic sclerosis is common, but pleural effusion is rare. Although vasculitis commonly accompanies many connective tissue disorders, it has been rarely reported in systemic sclerosis. A 43-year-old woman, with a 10-year history of Raynaud's phenomenon, was admitted due to right chest pain. Her hands showed diffuse thickening and swelling of skin. Chest X-ray showed pleural effusions and esophageal manometry showed hypotonic peristalsis and low lower esophageal sphincter tone compatible with scleroderma esophagus. Antinuclear antibodies were present (titer>1 : 160) with a speckled pattern. She was positive for rheumatoid factor, anti scl-70 and RNP antibodies, but negative for anti-Ro, La, and Sm antibodies. Histology of the pleura revealed the presence of leukocytoclastic vasculiti. After adminisrration of prednisolone 30 mg/day, her chest symptom was improved. We report a case of systemic sclerosis with pleural effusions due to leukocytoclastic vasculitis with review of the literatures.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The present study was undertaken to determine whether an ethanol extract of Citri Pericarpium (CP-E), which is the pericarp of Citrus unshiu Markovich is efficacious against collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Methods : CIA was induced in male DBA/1J mice by intradermal injection of bovine collagen-II in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (IFA). The mice in the onset of arthritis were treated daily with oral administration of CP-E ethanol extract at different doses (50 and 100 mg/kg/bw) for 28 days. Arthritis index, histopathologic changes and the levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ as well as anti-CII IgG in blood were evaluated to confirm the anti-arthritic effect of CP-E on CIA in rats. Results : The results showed that comparing with untreated CIA mice, treated with CP-E extract significantly decreased the arthritic scores and the pathological changes of knee joint tissues, and also reduced the serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and anti-CII IgG in CIA-mice. These results indicate that CP-E extract may effectively alleviate inflammatory response on CIA, and its anti-inflammation can be attributed, at least partially, to the inhibition of proinflamamtory cytokine, TNF-${\alpha}$ in CIA. Conclusions : This study suggest that CP-E has a therapeutic potential in inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.65-74
• /
• 2010

Objectives : Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (ABR) has been used for treating of many symptoms especially osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we determined the effects of water extract of ABR in RANKL (Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor $\kappa$ B Ligand)-induced osteoclast differentiation culture system. Methods : We assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP, OSCAR, $FcR{\gamma}$, DAP12 and GAPDH in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) treated with ABR. The protein expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, MAPKs and $\beta$-actin in cell lysates treated with ABR were analysed by Western blotting. In addition we determined the effects of water extract of ABR on LPS-induced bone-loss mouse. Results : Water extract of ABR showed remarkable inhibition on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. ABR down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. ABR suppressed phosphorylation of JNK, p38 and I-${\kappa}B$. ABR rescued bone erosion by LPS induction in vivo study. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that ABR may be a useful remedy for curing of bone-loss disease such as osteoporosis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.150-158
• /
• 2001

The activity of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in rheumatoid arthritis is not only due to the inhibition of the production of prostaglandins, which can even have beneficial immunosuppressive effects in chronic inflammatory processes. Since we speculated that these drugs could also act by protecting endogenous proteins against denaturation, we evaluated their effect on heat-induced denaturation human serum albumin (HSA) in comparison with several fatty acids which are known to be potent stabilizers of this protein. By the Mizushimas assay and a recently developed HPLC assays we observed that NSAIDs were slightly less active [$EC_{50}~10^{-5}-10^{-4}$ M] than FA and that the HPLC method was less sensitive but more selective than the turbidimetric assay, i.e. it was capable of distinguishing true antiaggregant agents like FA and NSAIDs from substances capable of inhibiting the precipitation of denatured protein aggregates. In conclusion, this survey could be useful for the development of more effective agents in protein condensation diseases like rheumatic disorders, cataract and Alzheimers disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.324-329
• /
• 2009

Cell-cell adhesion managed by various adhesion molecules is known to be one of pathophysiological phenomena found in numerous immunological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and allergic diseases. In this study, we examined the regulatory role of ginsenosides (G)- Rh1, reported to display anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, on CD29-mediated cell adhesion. G-Rh1 significantly suppressed U937 cell-cell adhesion mediated by CD29 but not CD43. It also blocked U937 cell-fibronectin adhesion, mediated by activated CD29, up to 30%. In agreement, this compound also significantly decreased the surface level of CD29 but not CD43 as well as other costimulatory molecules such as CD69, CD80, and CD86. Therefore, these results suggest that G-Rh1 may have inhibitory function on CD29-mediated cell adhesion events, probably contributing to its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.79-89
• /
• 2011

호장근(Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb et Zucc.)은 관절통, 만성 기관지염, 황달, 월경분순, 고협압 등의 치료제로 사용되고 있는 약물로서, 본 연구에서는 흰쥐의 류마티스 관절염 병태모델에서 호장근 약침이 류마티스 관절염에 미치는 영향에 대해 관찰하였다. 방법 : 본 연구에서는 bovine type II collagen으로 유발된 흰쥐의 류마티스 관절염 병태모델에서 인체의 족삼리(ST36)에 상응하는 부위에 호장근 약침액을 주입한 후, 체중변화, 족부종의 변화, 족근관절폭의 변화, cytokine의 변화, NOS 발현 양상 등을 관찰하였다. 결과 : 족부종 감소율은 고농도 호장근 약침군에서 높았고, 족근관절폭 감소율은 고농도 및 저농도 호장근 약침군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 높게 관찰되었다. 족부 삼출물 내의 TNF-${\alpha}$ 함량은 고농도 호장근 약침군에서 높았고, IL-$1{\beta}$ 함량은 고농도 및 저농도 호장근 약침군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 높게 관찰되었다. 대뇌 피질에서 NOS 양성 신경세포수는 고농도 및 저농도 호장근 약침군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 낮게 관찰되었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과에서 호장근 약침은 type II collagen으로 유발된 흰쥐의 류마티스 관절염 병태모델에서 염증 반응을 억제하는 효과가 있는 것으로 사려된다.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.144-153
• /
• 2002

This study was designed to explore use of unconventional treatments and identify related variables of patients with rheumatic disease. One hundred fifty rheumatic patients were recruited from two university based rheumatic centers according to selection criteria. Collected data were analyzed using SAS program through with a structured questionnaire. T-test, ANOVA, and Scheffe's test were adopted. The results were as follows: 1. 77.7% of the subjects were over forties and mean age was 48.5 years. 74.0% were women and 73.2% were living with their spouse. 82.0% of them was good or moderate or good economic status, 38.3% was university graduates. 2. 58.0% of the subjects had rheumatoid arthritis, and mean duration of suffering rheumatic disease was 6.5 years. 89.3% of them had joint pain and their mean pain score was 4.07. Most painful joints were hip(58.0%), finger(42.0%), wrist(42.0%), and the number of painful joint was 5.4. 70% of the subjects using unconventional treatments, the most common treatments using them was herb medicine(42.7%) and acupuncture(36.7%). 3. Level of pain was different according to subject's age, educational background, diagnosis, number of painful joints, and using unconventional treatments or not. It is recommended that use of a larger sample to understand more about unconventional treatments and pain of patients with rheumatic disease. More research is needed to consider developing individual nursing interventions for their well-being and quality of life.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.54-61
• /
• 2003

Due to the development in computer mediated communication, there are many homepages on the web, which provide medical on health counseling and education. The internet is becoming increasingly important and essential in medicine. But little was known about what problems can be counseled and what difficulties are met during the computer mediated counseling. This study was performed to investigate the content and purpose of health counseling on the web. The data were collected from March 1st, 2002 to February 28th, 2003, from 199 questioners visited one rheumatic center homepage questionary/answering(Q/A) site. Most of the questioners consulted health problems of their own or their families. The 51.3% of them were diagnosed medically Rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequent disease and followed systemic lupus erythematosus, gout and ankylosing spondylitis. Most of the questioners needed to know treatment principles, diagnosing process, and information regarding the clinic. During the one-year period, the average number of users questioning was 29.4 cases and answering was 44.8 cases. Above findings suggest that computer mediated health counseling of rheumatic patients may be useful supplement of health education for them. Communication using internet has become popular, but this kind of approach needs a proper guideline. It is highly recommended that nurses be familiar with the e-health and e-medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.368-384
• /
• 1998

To know the effects of Gentiana macrophylla(GM) on the immune response, this study was undertaken. GM is one of the well-known oriental medicines for a lomg time used for the treatment of such diseases as arthralgia, headache, hepatitis, SLE, hemiparesis, and so on. To evaluate the effects of GM on immune response in the collagen induced arthritis, phagocytic activity of macrophages, proliferation of T-lymphocytes, secretion of nitric oxide in urine, and production of ROIs, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and nitric oxide in synoviocytes were measured. The results obtained in this study were as follows: 1. During the progress of CIA, the administration of GM enhanced phagocytic activity of macrophages in vivo and vitro. 2. During the progress of CIA, the administration of GM inhibited production of ROIs in synoviocytes. 3. During the progress of CIA, the administration of GM inhibited production of TNF- a in synoviocytes. 4. During the progress of CIA, the administration of GM inhibited proliferation of T lymphocytes. 5. During the progress of CIA, the administration of GM inhibited production of nitric oxide in synoviocytes. 6. During the progress of CIA, the administration of GM inhibited secretion of nitric oxide in urine. According to the above results, during the progress of CIA, it might be considered that GM has a curative effect on rheumatoid arthritis by controling immune response.