• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.355-357
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• 2005

This study evaluated the binding abilities of rabbit anti-ovalbumin (OVA) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and egg-allergic patient IgE on gamma-irradiated OVA during proteolysis using pepsin and trypsin. The concentrations of both the intact and the irradiated OVAs decreased during proteolysis when detected with IgG However, when detected by patient IgE the concentration of the intact OVA decreased up to 30 min after the trypsin treatment and increased thereafter. Irradiated OVA detected by patient IgE showed a lower initial concentration (0.16%) than that of the intact OVA, and this reduced concentration was maintained stably. The results indicate that irradiation, rather than enzymatic treatment, could reduce the binding of the irradiated and enzyme-treated OVA. Therefore, gamma irradiation has potential as an effective method to reduce OVA-induced allergy and may enhance the safety of egg-allergic individuals.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.317-324
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• 2020

Mast cells play a key role in IgE-mediated allergic response. We investigated whether Swertia pseudochinensis Hara extract (SPE) inhibits IgE-mediated allergic response in mast cells and an allergic animal model. Additionally, we explored SPE's mechanism of action in mast cells. Our results showed that SPE inhibited both antigen-stimulated degranulation and the production of TNF-α and IL-4 in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. SPE also suppressed allergic response in IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. As for the mechanism of action of SPE in mast cells, it inhibited the activation of Syk kinase, a critical signaling protein in the FcεRI-mediated signaling pathway, and also the activation of LAT, a downstream adaptor protein of Syk. We further observed the reduced activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (P38, ERK1/2, and JNK) and Akt in mast cells. Our results described for the first time that SPE has an anti-allergic effect by suppressing mast cells through the inhibition of Syk kinase. Therefore, SPE may be useful for the treatment of type I allergic diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.181-185
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• 2022

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is not endemic in the Republic of Korea (Korea) with a positivity rate of <1% in stool examination. However, there is a risk of hyperinfection in immunosuppressed individuals. It is necessary to determine the seropositivity of S. stercoralis antibodies in Korea. This study investigated the seropositivity of S. stercoralis antibodies in the southeastern area of Korea. From January 2019 to June 2021, serum samples were collected from participants who visited the study center in the southeastern region of Korea for routine health check-ups. We determined serum levels of specific anti-Strongyloides IgG antibodies in 834 samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We observed that 92 samples (11.0%) tested showed a positive response. The age of the participants was 51±10.7 years, and 43.4% of them were men. The antibody positivity rate based on the location of the participants' residence were 12.3% (Gyoungsangnam-do), 10.2% (Busan), and 10.1% (Ulsan), respectively. Total eosinophil count was associated with positive test results (154.8±152.0 per mm³ versus 202.1±178.9 per mm³, P=0.006). Logistic regression analysis revealed that blood eosinophil count, age above 50 years, and residence in Sacheon were factors associated with the positive status of S. stercoralis antibody. Our finding suggests that it is necessary to test for S. stercoralis in actual clinical settings in Korea.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2015

To explore the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts of Petasites genus, we studied the effects of s-petasin, a major sesquiterpene from Petasites formosanus (a butterbur species) on asthma and peritonitis models. In an ovalbumin-induced mouse asthma model, s-petasin significantly inhibited the accumulations of eosinophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar fluids. S-petasin inhibited the antigen-induced degranulation of ${\beta}$-hexosamidase but did not inhibit intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase in RBL-2H3 mast cells. S-petasin inhibited the LPS induction of iNOS at the RNA and protein levels in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, s-petasin inhibited the production of NO (the product of iNOS) in a concentration-dependent manner in the macrophages. Furthermore, in an LPS-induced mouse model of peritonitis, s-petasin significantly inhibited the accumulation of polymorpho nuclear and mononuclear leukocytes in peritoneal cavity. This study shows that s-petasin in Petasites genus has therapeutic effects on allergic and inflammatory diseases, such as, asthma and peritonitis through degranulation inhibition in mast cells, suppression of iNOS induction and production of NO in macrophages, and suppression of inflammatory cell accumulation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.613-618
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• 2016

1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-${\beta}$-D-glucose (PGG) is a gallotannin isolated from various plants such as Galla Rhois. In a previous study, it was reported that PGG has anti-allergic effects by inhibiting interleukin (IL)-4 signaling in B cells. However, the effect of PGG on basophilic cells remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of PGG on mitogen and calcium ionophore-induced allergic responses. PGG had no effect on proliferation and cytotoxicity of RBL-2H3 cells. PGG significantly suppressed cell degranulation (histamine and ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$) as well as inflammatory cytokine production such as IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. The underlying mechanism of PGG on these anti-allergic actions was correlated with inhibition on translocation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ from the cytosol to nucleus. These data suggest that PGG is a potentially effective functional compound for prevention of allergic diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1244-1251
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• 2014

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been known to possess many biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy activity and anti-obesity and hyperlipidemia effects. However, little research has been conducted regarding its anticancer effects, with the exception of its ability to stimulate apoptosis in skin cells. There has also been no study regarding PG-induced autophagy. The modulation of autophagy is recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Depending on the type of cancer and the context, autophagy can suppress or help cancer cells to overcome metabolic stress and the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether or not extracts from PG-induced cell death were connected with autophagy and apoptosis in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells. PG stimulation decreased cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis, which was partially dependent on the activation of caspases. PG treatment also resulted in the formation of autophagic vacuoles simultaneously with regulation of autophagy-related genes. Interestingly, a PG-mediated apoptotic effect was further triggered by pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenin and bafilomycin A1. However, cell viability recovered quite well with bafilomycin A1 treatment. These findings show that PG treatment promotes both autophagy and apoptosis and that PG-induced autophagic response might play a role in the autophagic cell death of HCT-116 cells.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.42-54
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• 2018

Background: Allergic diseases like such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis have recently increased both domestically and globally. The present study was undertaken to select candidates with anti-allergic activity from plant resources. Methods and Results: Fifty-six plant extracts at $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ were screened against ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase production and interleukin (IL)-4 release in degranulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. The anti-allergy activity of three plant extracts selected from the preliminary screening experiment, Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche (root), Pyrus pytifolia var. culta (Makino) Nakai (leaf), and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud (root) were measured at concentrations of $2-250{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in three cell lines as RBL-2H3, HaCaT and Jurkcat T cells. The assay showed the root extract of R. glutinosa to have an inhibitory activity of 4.2% - 28.6% on ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase production from IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. Each extract of P. sibiricum and R. glutinosa reduced IL-4 release in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells, respectively. The leaf extract of P. pyrifolia var. culta showed a significantly potent suppressive effect of 10.2% - 74.7% on the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ in HaCaT cells sensitized with TNF-a and INF-g, and showed inhibitory effect of -8.6% - 90.9% on the mRNA expression of IL-2 in Jurkat T cells sensitized with PMA and A23187. Conclusions: The results showed that the root of R. glutinosa and leaf of P. pyrifolia var. culta could be useful candidates as antiallergy materials.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2012

The Mume Fructus (MF) has been used for relieves cough, arrests arrest chronic diarrhea, treat fluid depletion, and treat ascariasis in Korea. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established for simultaneous determination of six main components of MF. Additionally, we were investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of MF extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$/interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells. The analytical column for separation was used a Gemini $C_{18}$ column maintained at $40^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase consisted of 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid in water (A) and 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid in acetonitrile (B). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detector was a photodiode array (PDA) set at 280 nm and 320 nm. We evaluated the inhibitory effect of MF extract on the production of inflammatory markers, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) in TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells, respectively. We confirmed the genes expression related with TARC, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES/CCL5) in HaCaT keratinocyte cells by MF extract. The contents of the five compounds in MF were 0.22-1.01 mg/g. Also, the MF extract show inhibition of about 78% and 75% on NO and $PGE_2$ production at the concentration 1000 mg/mL in RAW264.7 cells. MF extract suppressed the hTARC level and genes expression such as TARC, MDC, and RANTES on TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.548-556
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• 2006

This study was to evaluate the effect of Samjayangchin-tang (STYCT) on mouse Th1 and Th2 cells' differentiation and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic inflammation. The proliferation of mouse CD4 T cells and the secretion of Th1/Th2 cytokines under the influence of STYCT extract were measured as well as the amount of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in RBL-2H3 cells and the levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 secretion in Raw264.7 cells. BALB/c mice were orally administered with STYCT extract and simultaneously inoculated with OVA to induce allergic reaction and measure the level of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE and the production of IFN- g, IL-4, IL-5 by the spleen cells. When mouse CD4 T cell were stimulated with anti-CO3 and anti-CD28 for 48 hours in various concentrations of STYCT extract, it decreased proliferation of CD4 cells. CD4 T cells under Th1/Th2 polarizing conditions for 3 days with STYCT resulted in mild decrease of IFN- g in Th1 cells and significant decrease of IL-4 in Th2 cells. STYCT extract had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on antigen-induced release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in RBL-2H3 cells. Treatment of STYCT extract on LPS stimulated Raw 264.7 cells showed dose-dependent decrease in IL-6 production. Oral administration of STYCT extract on OVA-induced allergic mice showed an inhibitory effect on the levels of total serum IgE and OVA-specific IgE by 53% and 44%, respectively. Culture of spleen cells with OVA resulted in significant increase of IFN- g by 54% and significant decrease of IL-4 and IL-5 by 42%, and 29%, respectively. The results show that STYCT does not strongly induce mouse T cells to transform into Th1 or Th2 but it has an anti-allergic effect in vitro, and that it also corrects the unbalance between the reactions of Th cells in allergic diseases.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2013

This study wascarried out to compare the medicinal effects of various Ganoderma species mycelial extracts. Among 6 Ganoderma species mycelial extracts by using 100% MeOH, G. species ASI-7150 showed the highest antioxidant effect. In nitric oxide (NO) production and ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release inhibition assay, the treatment of G. lucidum ATCC64251 (Taiwan) mycelia extracts most effectively inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release. In addition, the treatment of all 6 Ganoderma species mycelial extracts were not affect on RAW264.7 cell viability. Although this preliminary research has thrown up many questions in need of further investigation, it will serve as a base for further studies of medicinal effects of various Ganoderma species.