• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.129-135
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• 2012

The feature of asthma are airway inflammation (AI), reversible airway obstruction, and an increased sensitivity to bronchoconstricting agents, elevated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), excess production of Th2 cytokines, and eosinophil accumulation in the lungs. This study was performed to investigate if oral administration of $Scutellaria$ $baicalensis$ Georgi water extracts (SBG) have the antiasthmatic potential for the treatment of asthma. Asthmatic HI and AHR were induced by systemic sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA) with intratracheal instillation with 0.1 mg/mL of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) suspension once a week for 10 weeks in BALB/c mice. SBG was orally administered with the concentraion of 200 mg/kg 5 days a week for 10 weeks. Long-term SBG treatment suppressed the eosinophil infiltration into airways from blood, the asthmatic AI and AHR by attenuating the production of cytokine IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, histamine and OVA-specific IgE. Our data suggest that SBG has inhibitory effects on AI and AHR in a mouse model of asthma, may act as a potential Th2 cytokine antagonist, and may have a therapeutic effect on allergic asthma.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2008

Immunity is responsible for the defense mechanism of the body but in case of autoimmune diseases, its role gets diverted. Like so many other diseases, asthma is also considered as one of the most common autoimmune diseases to be occurring in community. Asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory airway disease that is characterized by airway hyper reactivity and mucus hypersecretion that result in intermittent airway obstruction. The incidence of allergic asthma has almost doubled in the past two decades. Although, precise causative mechanism of asthma is unknown, but several mechanisms have been proposed that is immunological, pharmacological and genetic mechanisms, and airway and neurogenic inflammation. The inflammatory process observed in the asthmatic patients is the final result of a complex network of interactions between various immunological cell lineages, its mediators and secreted substances. Thus, among the mechanisms proposed, the immunological one plays a key role. Through this article, we have tried to provide some insight into immunological mechanisms in pathogenesis of asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.73-86
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• 1994

In addition to classic cholinergic and adrenergic pathways, the existence of a third division of autonomic control in the human airways has been proved. It is called a nonadrenergic noncholinergic(NANC) nervous system, and difficult to study in the absence of specific blockers. Neuropeptides are certainly suggested to be transmitters of this NANC nervous system. It is very frustrating to understand the pathophysiologic role of these peptides in the absence of any specific antagonists. However, further studies of neuropeptides might eventually lead to novel forms of treatment for bronchial asthma. Another study of the interaction between different components of the autonomic nervous system, either in ganglionic neurotransmission or by presynaptic modulation of neurotransmitters at the end-organ will elute neural control in airway disease, particularly in asthma. Studies of how autonomic control may be disordered in airway disease should lead to improvements in clinical management. Epithelial damage due to airway inflammation in asthma may induce bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Axon reflex mechanism is one of possible mechanisms in bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Epithelial damage may expose sensory nerve terminals and C-fiber nrve endings are stimulated by inflammatory mediators. Bi-directional communication between the nerves and mast cells may have important roles in allergic process. The psychological factors and conditioning of allergic reactions is suggested that mast cell activation might be partly regulated by the central nervous system via the peripheral nerves. Studies in animal models, in huamn airways in vitro and in patients with airway disease will uncover the interaction between allergic disease processes and psychologic factors or neural mechainsms.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.612-617
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• 2005

Astragali Radix(AR), is a popular tonic herb prescribed for 'insufficient qi' in Korea, Japan and China. The present study examined the effect of AR ethanol extract on ovalubumin induced allergic mouse model. AR administration reduced levels of IFN-gamma, Interleukin(IL)-4, IL-5 and total IgE in the OVA induced allergic inflammation. It also protected the upper airway respiratory epithelium from being damaged by the OVA induced inflammation. Taken together, our results showed that the use of AR alone proved to down-regulate Th1 and Th2 cytokine production and play a protective role in tissue damage in allergic disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.654-664
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, isolated from Panax ginseng, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. It is known to reduce inflammation in acute lung injury in mice, and to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in human asthmatic airway epithelium. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also investigated its effects on oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in tracheal epithelial cells. Methods: Asthma symptoms were induced in female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, OVA-induced asthmatic controls, and asthmatic mice treated with ginsenoside Rg3 or prednisolone by intraperitoneal injection. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells (human tracheal epithelial cells) treated with ginsenoside Rg3 to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative responses. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration, oxidative responses, airway inflammation, and AHR in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells treated with ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the eotaxin and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, and monocyte adherence to BEAS-2B cells was significantly reduced as a result of decreased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a potential immunomodulator that can ameliorate pathological features of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2012

Objectives : Allergy has been described as an inflammatory with hypersensitivity resulting from seasonal or perennial responses to specific allergens. The root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.(Platycodi Radix; Campanulaceae) has been traditionally used to treat chronic diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we examined the effect of 70% ethanol extract of Platycodi Radix (PR-E) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway inflammation in mice. Methods : Mice were sensitized and challenged by OVA inhalation to induced chronic airway inflammation, and then were intragastrically administered PR-E extract at doses of 50 and 200 mg/kg/day from days 21 to 30 consecutively. The levels of allergic mediators such as histamine, OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and cytokines such as IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured in the sera of mice by ELISA. The histological change of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results : PR-E extract significantly decreased the serum levels of histamine, OVA-specific IgE, and Th2 cytokine, IL-4 compared with those in the OVA-induced group. PE-E extract significantly increased the serum level of Th1 cytokine, IFN-${\gamma}$. Based on lung histopathological studies, inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion were inhibited by PE-E extract administration compared to that in the OVA-induced group. Conclusions : These findings indicate that PE-E extract may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.481-487
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• 2010

목 적: 최근 여러 연구결과 천식을 포함한 알레르기질환의 발병에 소아 성장시기에 알레르겐이나 내독소(LPS)등과 같은 물질에 노출이 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 제시되었다. 이에 연구자들은 출생 초기에 기도 점막을 통한 알레르겐과 내독소에의 노출이 성장한 후에 알레르기 기도염증과 과반응성의 발생에 미치는 효과를 생쥐 모델을 통하여 규명하고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법: 실험동물은 무균 상태의 생후 1주이내의 암컷 BALB/c 생쥐를 사용하였다. 실험동물들에게는 각각 신생생쥐시기에 생리식염수, 1% ovalbumin (OVA), $1.0{\mu}g$ LPS, $1.0{\mu}g$ LPS in 1% OVA를 각 비공을 통하여 투여하였다. 실험동물은 연구 시작 제 35일부터 10일간 5% OVA로 감작시켰으며 최종 기도 감작 10일 후부터 3일간 1% OVA로 기도 항원유발을 시행하였다. 최종 기도유발 48시간 후 체적검사(plethysmography)를 이용하여 비특이적 기도과반응성 검사(Methcholine challenge test)를 시행하였으며 검사 후 실험동물을 희생시켜 검체를 취하여 BAL액내 세포분획, 사이토카인, 혈청 면역글로불린을 측정하였다. 결 과: 1) 메타콜린에 의한 기도과반응성은 생후 초기에 OVA, LPS, OVA/LPS를 투여한 군에서 생리식염수를 투여한 군에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 억제되었다. 2) OVA, LPS, OVA/LPS를 투여한 군에서 BAL 액내의 호산구수와 IL-4, IL-5가 유의하게 낮았다. 3) 혈청내 OVA 특이 IgE는 OVA, LPS, OVA/LPS 투여군에서 유의하게 감소되었다. 결 론: 본 연구 결과 신생생쥐 시기의 점막을 통한 항원, 내독소의 노출이 성숙한 후 항원에 의한 기도염증 및 과반응성의 발생을 억제하였으며 향후 이러한 효과의 작용기전에 대한 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각한다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.343-352
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• 2008

프랑킨센스는 감람나무 종에서 얻어지는 gum resin으로, 성분은 5-9% 방향정 에센셜 오일, 알코올-용해성인 65-85% resin과 수용성인 gum 잔여물로 구성된 복합물이다. 프랑킨센스의 알코올 용해성인 resin 성분들의 항염증 작용은 잘 알려져 있으나, 방향성 에센셜 오일 성분이 알러지성 천식에 작용을 하는지의 여부는 보고되지 않았다. 실험은 프랑킨센스 에센설 오일(BSEO)이 ovalbumin(OVA)으로 유발된 알러지성 천식 생쥐 모델에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해 수행하였다. BALB/c 생쥐는 OVA로 복강감작 후 OVA 기도 투여로 면역반응을 유발시켰다. 실험그룹은 0.3% BSEO를 8주간 흡입시켰다. OVA로 감작, 유발시킨 BALB/c 생쥐에서 기도내 호산구 침윤증가, 점액분비 증가와 기도과민성이 나타났다. 이에 비하여, BSEO 처치군에서 BALF내 호산구수, 술잔세포의 과증식, 기도과민성이 감소되었다. BALF내 사이토카인 분석 결과, BSEO는 Th1 사이토카인인 IFN-$\gamma$를 증가시켰으며 Th2 사이토카인인 IL-4, IL-5와 IL-13을 감소시켰다. 또한, OVA-specific IgE와 eoxtain 분비를 억제시켰다. BSEO 흡입 군에서 종격동 림프절의 $CD4^+$, $CD3^+/CCR3^+$, 및 $B220^+/CD23^+$ 세포들 또한 감소되었다. 이상의 결과에서 BSEO는 Th1/Th2 관여 면역조절인자로 판단되며, BSEO 흡입으로 간단하고 경제적인 방법으로 알러지성 기도 염증 치료가 가능할 것으로 사료되었다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.107-115
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• 2014

Phellinus linteus has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in Asian countries and is known to have anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic activities. However, the protective effects of P. linteus against experimental asthma have not been fully investigated. The objective of this study was to determine whether P. linteus ethanol extract (PLE) suppresses inflammatory response in an OVA-induced asthma model. As expected, the oral administration of PLE significantly inhibited eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in OVA-challenged BALB/c mice. Supporting these data, the augmentation of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), eotaxin, and adhesion molecules in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after OVA inhalation was markedly attenuated by PLE. Furthermore, PLE reduced OVA-induced activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and p38 MAPK in lung tissues. Therefore, our results suggest the potential of P. linteus as a therapeutic agent for asthma.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.60-71
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• 2023

Cockroaches can cause allergic sensitization in humans via contact with their feces or frass. Antibiotics can affect concentration of major allergen and total bacteria production in German cockroaches (Blattella germanica). This study examined the ability of antibiotic-treated German cockroaches to induce allergic airway inflammation and the effect of antibiotics on their lipopolysaccharide and Bla g1, 2, and 5 expression levels. Specifically, we measured the ability of German cockroach extract (with or without prior antibiotic exposure) to induce allergic inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells and a mouse model of asthma. Bacterial 16S rRNA and lipopolysaccharide levels were lower in ampicillin-treated cockroaches than in the control group. The Bla g1, Bla g2, and Bla g5 expression in ampicillin-treated cockroaches decreased at both the protein and RNA levels. In human bronchial epithelial cell lines BEAS-2B exposed to the ampicillin-treated extract, expression levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 were lower than that in the control group. The total cell count and eosinophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was also lower in mice exposed to the ampicillin-treated extract than in those exposed to normal cockroach extract. Mouse lung histopathology showed reduced immune cell infiltration and mucus production in the ampicillin group. Our results showed that ampicillin treatment reduced the symbiont bacterial population and major allergen levels in German cockroaches, leading to reduced airway inflammation in mice. These results can facilitate the preparation of protein extracts for immunotherapy or diagnostics applications.