• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.235-245
• /
• 2021

Lindera glauca Blume has been used in Korean traditional medicine to treat the symptoms of paralysis, abdominal pain, speech disorders, extravasations, contusions, and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated the effect of L. glauca Blume extracts on the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells in vitro using HCT116 human colorectal cancer cell lines. We also investigated its mechanism of action. For this purpose, we used the MTT assay, western blotting, DNA fragmentation analysis, and flow cytometry. HCT116 cells were cultured in several concentrations of ethanol extracts of L. glauca Blume root (0, 50, 100 ㎍/mL). In this study, colon cancer cell growth was inhibited by L. glauca Blume root extract in a dose-dependent manner. It was associated with induction of apoptosis as assessed by nuclear fragmentation and cell cycle analysis. Apoptosis was assessed using western blotting for TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB, Caspase-3, PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, and SIRT1. The extract also dose-dependently upregulated the expression Bax, the pro-apoptotic gene and downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. Furthermore, the extract enhanced Caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings provide evidence that L. glauca Blume extract may mediate its anti-proliferative effect via the modulation of apoptosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.57-62
• /
• 2013

Objectives : Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF) has been shown anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-rheumatoid properties. However, it is still largely unknown whether LJF inhibits skin injury against oxidative stress in human keratinocyte, HaCaT cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of LJF against hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. Methods : To evaluate out the protective effects of LJF on oxidative injury in HaCaT cells, an oxidative stress model of HaCaT cells was established under a suitable concentration (500 ${\mu}M$) hydrogen peroxide. HaCaT keratinocyte cells were pre-treated with LJF (0.1, 0.25 or 0.5 mg/ml), and then stimulated with $H_2O_2$. Then, the cells were harvested to measure the cell viability, DNA damage, and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results : LJF (0.1, 0.25 or 0.5 mg/ml) itself did not show any significant toxicity in HaCaT cells. The treatment of $H_2O_2$ caused the oxidative stress, leading to the cell death, and DNA injury. However, pretreatment with LJF reduced cell death, and DNA injury. The stimulation of $H_2O_2$ on HaCaT cells resulted in excessive release of ROS, which is the main factor of oxidative stress. The excessive release of ROS was inhibited by LJF treatment significantly. Conclusions : These results could suggest that LJF exhibited the protective effects of HaCaT cells against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting ROS release. It could be explained that LJF inhibit skin damages against oxidative stress. Thus, LJF would be useful for the development of drug or cosmetics treating skin troubles.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2023

Purpose : The fruit of Actinidia polygama has been used in oriental medicine for the treatment of gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammation. Though A. polygama exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 cells and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, the exact mechanism for anti-inflammation was not evaluated yet. In this study, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of A. polygama ethanol extract (APEE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : WST-1 assay was applied to analyze the cytotoxic effect of APEE in RAW 264.7 cells. The productions of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E₂ were analyzed by the Griess reaction and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) assay, respectively. In addition, protein expressions for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 were measured by Western blot analysis. The activated status of an inflammatory transcription factor, NF-κ B, and its upstream signaling molecules, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), was also evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results : As a result, APEE treatment did not exhibit any cytotoxicity until the concentration of 200 ㎍/㎖. APEE treatment significantly inhibited NO and PGE₂ productions as well as their enzymes, iNOS and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. The inflammatory transcription factor, NF-κ B, was also attenuated by APEE treatment. In addition, the phosphorylated status of MAPKs such as extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2 kinase (JNK), and p38, were significantly diminished by APEE treatment in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion : Consequently, APEE treatment significantly attenuated the production of inflammatory mediators and their enzyme expressions in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The inflammatory transcription factor, NF-κ B, and upstream signaling molecules, MAPKs, were also significantly attenuated by APEE treatment in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate that APEE might be a candidate to be utilized as a promising candidate for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.63-67
• /
• 2019

Spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon can occur in the 3rd extensor compartment after a distal radius fracture involving Lister's tubercle, steroid injections, or rheumatoid arthritis. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the EPL tendon in a 26-year-old male patient who played a rhythm game, which requires repetitive wrist motions to play the drums. We also provide a comprehensive literature review along with the case report. From the authors' point of view, excessive and repetitive motion of the wrist, as shown in our case, can be a potential cause of spontaneous rupture of the EPL tendon.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.1101-1108
• /
• 2023

We report the case of a lung transplantation patient whose cough and dyspnea symptoms improved after receiving complex Korean medicine treatment. Lung transplantation provides a solution to many end-stage patients with lung disease who are refractory to conventional treatment, but the five-year survival rate of lung transplantation remains around 50%, and even surviving patients suffer from side effects, including infection, respiratory difficulty, and gastrointestinal problems. A 66-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease was advised to undergo lung transplantation surgery when she suffered from dyspnea and failing respiratory symptoms after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and contracting pneumonia. Approximately five months after receiving a bilateral lung transplantation operation, she experienced acute pulmonary thromboembolism, and even after receiving anticoagulation therapy, she still struggled with cough and respiratory difficulty. After she received complex Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine, cupping therapy, and electrical moxibustion, we observed a decrease in inflammation, alleviation of symptoms such as cough and dyspnea, and improvement of pulmonary function and exercise capacity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.368-376
• /
• 2023

Background: Although bee venom (BV) has clinical benefits in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it has not been tested as treatment for gouty arthritis. Moreover, in vitro, BV has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory and positive effects on osteoarthritis, but only limited evidence can confirm its beneficial effects on gout. Thus, this study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of BV on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced THP-1 monocytes. Methods: THP-1 monocytes were differentiated into mature macrophages using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and pretreated for 6 hours with BV and a Caspase-1 inhibitor in a physiologically achievable range of concentrations (BV, 0.1-1 ㎍/mL; Caspase-1 inhibitor, 1-10 μM), followed by MSU crystal stimulation for 24 hours. The secretions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-8, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) were increased in the MSU crystal-stimulated THP-1 cells. Results: Caspase-1 inhibitors suppressed the production of all mediators in a dose-dependent manner. BV worked on equal terms with Caspase-1 inhibitors and showed more satisfactory effects on TNF-α, PGE2, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Moreover, the western blot analysis revealed that BV regulated the transcriptional levels of these mediators via the suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation. Conclusion: The results of the present study clearly suggest that BV inhibits MSU-induced inflammation in vitro, suggesting a possible role for BV in gout treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.138-144
• /
• 2024

Crocin is a major carotenoid of the Gardenia jasminoides fruit and Crocus sativus stigma (saffron), which are used in various cuisines as flavoring and coloring agents, as well as in phytomedicine for the treatment of several disorders, including headache, fever, edema, fatty liver, viral hepatitis, respiratory disease, menstruation disorders, insomnia, and hypertension. Crocin (C₄₄H₆₄O₂₄) is a chemical diester composed of the dicarboxylic acid crocetin and disaccharide gentiobiose. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted about the biological and pharmacological function and toxicity of crocin. Crocin has been revealed to have no genotoxicity and pathological manifestation. Crocin acts as an antioxidant, anti-cancer, memory enhancer, anxiolytic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, anti-atherosclerotic, cardioprotector, and hepatoprotector. Here, an inclusive review of crocin is introduced based on previously explored studies referred to in the literature. Different studies have confirmed the protective role of crocin in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, gastritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. It is surmised that crocin suppresses inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic processes through multiple mechanisms. Crocin is considered a safe and effective therapeutic choice for patients with inflammatory conditions, although more research investigating its mechanisms and results acquired in clinical trials are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.84 no.3
• /
• pp.731-735
• /
• 2023

Rice bodies are commonly detected in adults with rheumatoid arthritis and rarely occur in children. An 11-year-old female adolescent who visited our hospital for evaluation of knee pain underwent a MRI scan, which revealed an intra-articular mass. Arthroscopic examination of the mass confirmed conglomerated rice bodies. We report a case of rice bodies that clinically presented as intra-articular masses.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.200-200
• /
• 2024

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.1511-1521
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to determine the function of LINC00511 in Nod-Like Receptor Pyrin Domain 3 inflammasome-mediated chondrocyte pyroptosis via the regulation of miR-9-5p and FUT 1. Chondrocyte inflammatory injury was induced by treating chondrocytes with LPS. Afterwards, the levels of IL-1β and IL-18, the expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD, cell viability, and LDH activity in chondrocytes were assessed. LINC00511 expression in LPS-treated chondrocytes was detected, and LINC00511 was subsequently silenced to analyse its role in chondrocyte pyroptosis. The subcellular localization of LINC00511 was predicted and verified. Furthermore, the binding relationships between LINC00511 and miR-9-5p and between miR-9-5p and FUT1 were validated. LINC00511 regulated NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated chondrocyte pyroptosis through the miR-9-5p/FUT1 axis. LPS-treated ATDC5 cells exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory injury; increased levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD; reduced cell viability; increased LDH activity; and increased LINC00511 expression, while LINC00511 silencing inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome to restrict LPS-induced chondrocyte pyroptosis. Next, LINC00511 sponged miR-9-5p, which targeted FUT1. Silencing LINC00511 suppressed FUT1 by upregulating miR-9-5p. Additionally, downregulation of miR-9-5p or overexpression of FUT1 neutralized the suppressive effect of LINC00511 knockdown on LPS-induced chondrocyte pyroptosis. Silencing LINC00511 inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome to quench Caspase-1-dependent chondrocyte pyroptosis in OA by promoting miR-9-5p and downregulating FUT1.