• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.357-369
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was designed to examine the effect of Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture on the change in behavior, sleep-related hormones, inflammatory cytokines, anti-oxidants, weight, blood, and serum on rats given chronic physical stress. Methods: Wistar rats older than age 10 weeks were used in this experiment. They were divided into six groups. The normal group was not given stress. The control group was given only chronic physical stress and no treatment. The positive control group was given chronic physical stress and treated with zolpidem. Three Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture (HPP) groups were given chronic physical stress, then treated with different concentrations of HPP; HPP-0.5× (0.5 times diluted), HPP-1× (undiluted) and HPP-2× (2 times condensed). The changes of values of Nestlet Shredding results, weight, Melatonin, Gamma-aminobutylic Acid (GABA), Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), AST, ALT, BUN, Creatinine, and leukocytes were observed during the experiment. Results: The changes in chronic physical stress of the rat model were as follow. The Nestlet Shredding result increased in the control group compared to the normal group (p<0.05), and decreased in the HPP-1× and HPP-2× compared to the control group (p<0.05). The amount of weight gain showed increasing tendency in the HPP-2× compared to the control group since the second week. The GABA increased (p<0.05) and Melatonin also showed certain increasing tendency in the HPP-1× and HPP-2× compared to the control group. The TNF-α and IL-6 increased in the control group compared to the normal group (p<0.01), and decreased in all the HPPs compared to the control group (p<0.05). The SOD level decreased in the control group compared to the normal group (p<0.01), and increased in all the HPPs compared to the control group (p<0.05). GPx, AST, ALT, Bun, Creatinine and leukocytes showed no noticeable difference among all groups. Conclusions: Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture was effective in increasing weight, GABA, Melatonin, SOD, and decreasing Nestlet Shredding and inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that it consequently facilitates in relieving physical stress.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.411-419
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated in vitro immune-enhancing and anti-obesity activity of Abelmoschus manihot roots (AMR) in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells and mouse adipocytes 3T3-L1 cells. AMR increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells. The inhibition of toll like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 blocked AMR-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway reduced AMR-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors. From these results, AMR is considered to have immune-enhancing activity through TLR2/4-mediated activation of MAPKs signaling pathway. In addition, AMR inhibited lipid accumulation and reduced the protein level such as CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), perilipin-1, adiponectin and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) associated with lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells, indicating that AMR may have anti-obesity activity. Based on these results, AMR is expected to be used as a potential functional agent for immune enhancement and anti-obesity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2022

This study investigated the immunostimulatory effect of enzymatic porcine placental hydrolyzate (EPPH) in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated rats. This effect of EPPH prevented Cy-induced decreases in body, spleen, and thymus weights and natural killer (NK) cell activity. The numbers of immune cells, such as white blood cells, granulocytes, and lymphocytes, and mid-range absolute counts were significantly higher compared to the control group. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-12, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were notably reduced by Cy, while EPPH prevented these effects. Histopathological analysis of spleen samples revealed the protective effect of EPPH against Cy-induced immunosuppression. The findings demonstrate that EPPH can alleviate immunosuppression by cell viability, tissue damage, and regulation of the levels of cytokines. EPPH may have value as a component of immunostimulatory agents or an ingredient in functional foods.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2024

Purpose: We investigated the role of CD8⁺T cells as host immune factors in pediatric patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Methods: Gastric mucosal tissue and blood samples were collected from 39 children, including 11 children with H. pylori infection and 28 children as controls. Anti-CD8 and anti-T-bet antibodies were used for immunohistochemistry of the gastric mucosa. For the cell surface and intracellular staining, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained with anti-IL7Rα, anti-CX3CR1, anti-CD8, anti-T-bet, and anti-IFN-γ antibodies. Cytokines of sera such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and CX3CL1 were analyzed using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In the immunohistochemistry of gastric mucosa, the frequency of CD8⁺ and T-bet⁺ T cells cells was higher in the H. pylori-positive group than in the control group (26.9± 7.8% vs. 16.9±3.3%, p<0.001; 5.0±2.5% vs. 2.2±0.7%, p=0.001). Between the control and H. pylori-positive groups, the frequency of IL-7Rα^lowCX3CR1⁺ CD8⁺ and T-bet⁺ INF-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells were not significantly different between surface and intracellular staining, respectively (40.4±24.0% vs. 38.2±17.8%, p=0.914; 40.4±24.0% vs. 38.2±17.8%, p=0.914). In the ELISA, no significant differences in TNF-α and CX3CL1 concentrations were observed between the control and H. pylori-positive groups (34.3±12.1 pg/mL vs. 47.0±22.6 pg/mL, p=0.114/0.5± 0.1 pg/mL vs. 0.5±0.1 pg/mL, p=0.188). Conclusion: CD8⁺ T and Th1 cells, which secrete IFN-γ, might play important roles in the mucosal immunity of the stomach in children with H. pylori infection.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.63-68
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• 2015

Objectives : Gastric lesions affect many people around the world and their development are results of the imbalance between destructive and protective factors in the gastric mucosa. Lycium chinense has been widely used as a traditional Korean medicine, it was recently reported that they have potent anti-inflammatory effects in chronic hepatitis models. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Lycium chinense extract (LCE) on HCl-Ethanol induced gastric lesion mice.Methods : The ICR mice were divided randomly into five groups of six animals each. Group A was normal mice, and group B was treated orally with 0.5 ml 150 mM HCl-60% Ethanol. Mice in group C and D were pre-treatment of LCE (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg bodyweight, p.o before HCl/ethanol treatment) and group E was orally administered sucralfate (10 mg/kg).Results : 150mM HCl/60% ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury mice were ameliorated mucosal damage upon histological evaluation by treatment of LCE. Pre-treatment of LCE attenuated reactive oxidative species (ROS) and produces peroxynitrite (ONOO^-) in stomach tissues. As results of stomach protein analyses, LCE effectively reduce inflammatory-related factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in gastric lesion mice. In addition, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibitor of phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (p-IκB) were down-regulated in LCE-administrated gastric lesion mice.Conclusions : Our discovery supports that the therapeutic activity of LCE ameliorate the development of gastric lesion via suppressing the oxidative stress and gastric partial inflammation induced by 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1662-1667
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• 2011

Anthocyanins belong to a group of flavonoid compounds and are well known for their various health beneficial effects, which include antioxidative activities. Among them, the major anthocyanins isolated from seed coat of black soybean (Glycine max L.) were previously characterized as glycosides containing glucopyranose. Asthma is an allergic disease that is strongly associated with various immune cells, including basophils and mast cells. Eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells play important roles in allergic asthma through the release of inflammatory mediators such as asthma-specific T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokines and subsequent amplification of asthma symptoms via degranulation. Rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells are the most common in vitro models for evaluating allergic reactions. In this study, we examined the effects of anthocyanin from seed coat of black soybean on antigen-stimulated degranulation and Th2 cytokine production in RBL-2H3 cells. Cell degranulation was evaluated by measuring the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase. ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase release and Th2 cytokine production in RBL-2H3 cells was much higher upon stimulation with IgE-antigen complex than those in untreated control cells. Anthocyanins significantly suppressed IgE-antigen complex-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and inhibited IgE-antigen complex-mediated interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) production in RBL-2H3 cells. These findings suggest that anthocyanins from seed coat of black soybean effectively inhibit allergic reactions and may have beneficial effects against allergic asthma.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2014

In previous work, we fermented coffee beans using solid-state culture with various fungal mycelia to enhance the physiological activity of the coffee. The coffee fermented with Monascus sp. showed a higher physiological activity than non-fermented coffee or other coffees fermented with mushroom mycelium. The aim of this study was to characterize the various fermented coffees with respect to their area of cultivation and their variety using Monascus purpureus (MP) mycelium solid-state culture. Thirty types of green coffee beans, which varied in terms of their cultivation area or variety, were purchased from different suppliers and fermented with MP under optimal conditions. Each MP-fermented coffee was medium roasted and extracted further using hot water (HW) under the same conditions. Of the HW extracts, those derived from MP-Mandheling coffees had the highest yield (13.6-15.5%), and MP-Robusta coffee showed a significantly higher polyphenolic content (3.03 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 mg) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) free radical scavenging activity (27.11 mg ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity/100 mg). Furthermore, in comparison to other MP-fermented coffees at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, MP-Robusta coffee showed not only the most effective inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (67.1% of that in LPS-stimulated control cells), but also an effective inhibition of lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipose cells (22.2% of that in differentiated control cells). In conclusion, these results suggest that Vietnam Robusta coffee beans solid-state fermented with MP mycelium are amenable to industrial applications as a functional coffee beverage or material.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.283-296
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• 2012

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an inflammatory skin disease and regarded as a prototype of T-cell mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Poly-${\gamma}$-glutamic acid (PGA) is a biodegradable polymer that is produced by Bacillus subtilis. This study was performed to assess the effects of PGA in a canine model of ACD. ACD was induced on the back of dogs induced by sensitization and repeated application by 2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene (DNCB). Topical treatment of PGA was applied once a day for 12 days and skin biophysical parameters including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, skin pH, skin thickness and erythema index, were measured every two days during experimental periods. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the antiinflammatory effect. In skin biophysical parameters, TEWL, skin hydration, skin thickness and erythema index were significantly increased, with a maximum increase appeared on day 2 (p < 0.05). On the other hand, skin pH was significantly decreased, with a maximum decrease appeared on day 2 (p < 0.01). After the completion of PGA treatment, skin biophysical parameters were significantly reached those of baseline in a time-dependent manner (p < 0.05). In histopathology, marked increases of epidermal thicknesses were induced after DNCB challenge with numerous inflammatory cell infiltrations and edematous changes, decreases of connective tissue occupied regions in dermis. In addition, marked increases of cytokine - tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$)-immunoreactivities in the dermis and of apoptotic markers - caspase-3 and PARP-immunoreactivities in the epidermis were observed in DNCB-PBS control as compared with intact control, respectively (p < 0.01). It means, the ACD and related apoptotic changes were induced by DNCB in the present study. However, these ACD induced by DNCB and related apoptosis in epidermis were significantly inhibited by treatment of PGA treated skin, the decreases of infiltrated inflammatory cells and related decreases of pro-inflammatory cytokine immunoreactivities were also observed (p < 0.01). Based on these findings, PGA may have anti-inflammatory and alleviatory effects in the allergic contact dermatitis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.329-335
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• 2014

Sophora flavescens, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Dictamnus dasycarpus have been widely used in folk medicine for several inflammatory disorders in Korea and China. In this study, we compared the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extracts of S. flavescens (EESF), G. uralensis (EEGU) and D. dasycarpus (EEDS), and their mixtures (medicinal herber mixtures, MHMIXs) on production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Our data indicated that treatment with EESF, EEGU and EEDD significantly inhibited the excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The ethanol extracts and MHMIXs also attenuated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) by suppressing their protein expression, respectively. Interestingly, MHMIX-1, which basic ingredients are EESF, EEGU and EEDS in the proportion 3:1:1, more safely and effectively inhibits the LPS-induced inflammatory status in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages compared to ethanol extracts of each medicinal herb and other MHMIXs without causing any cytotoxic effects. Our study provides scientific evidence to support that a berbal mixture, MHMIX-1 may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases by inhibiting inflammatory regulator responses in activated macrophages.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 1998

Background: It is sometimes difficult to differentiate tuberculous pleural effusion from malignant pleural effusion by clinical symptoms, signs, by routine tests of pleural fluid, and by pathologic studies. And recently, it was discovered that cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$ are elevated in tuberculous pleural fluid, and there have been several attempts to diagnose tuberculous pleural effusion by using these immunological mediators. There are several studies regarding the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$, and there are two studies in Korea. But the diagnostic values of IFN-$\gamma$ in these studies were slightly lower than those in other countries. To compare the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$ with those of CEA and ADA, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of IFN-$\gamma$ in Korean, we mesured IFN-$\gamma$, CEA level and ADA activity in pleural effusions. Methods: ADA activity, IFN-$\gamma$ level and CEA level as well as cell count, differential count, and biochemical assays such as protein content and lactate dehydrogenase were measured in 40 cases of tuberculous pleuritis and 42 cases of malignant pleural effusion. Results: Tuberculous pleural fluid showed higher levels of IFN-$\gamma$ and ADA ($832.6{\pm}357.2$ pg/ml and $82.5{\pm}25.9$ U/L, respectively) than those of malignant pleural effusion ($2.6{\pm}8.0$ pg/ml and $19.2{\pm}10.9$ U/L, respectively) (p<0.01). Malignant pleural effusions showed higher median value (102.2 ng/ml) than tubercalous pleural effusions (1.8 ng/ml) (p<0.01). The sensitivities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 0.97, 0.87, 0.67 and the specificities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 1.0, 0.97, 1.0, respectively. There was no significant correlation between ADA activity and IFN-$\gamma$ level. Conclusion: This study showed that IFN-$\gamma$ test would be a very useful clinical test for differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis and malignant pleural effusion because it is very sensitive and specific, although it is an expensive test.