• 대한한의학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 56 herbal formulae covered by the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) on dementia-related biomarkers and neuronal cell changes. Methods: The 56 herbal formulae were extracted with 70% ethanol at $100^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. The antioxidant properties was measured by radical scavenging assay using ABTS+ radical. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was tested by Ellman's assay and $amyloid-{\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) aggregation was determined using fluorescence method. To estimate the inhibitory effects of herbal formulae on neuronal cell death and inflammation using HT22 hippocampal cells and BV-2 microglia, respectively. Results: Among the 56 herbal formulae, Dangguiyukhwangtang, Banhasasimtang, Samhwangsasimtang, Cheongwiesan, Hwangryunhaedoktang, Banhabaekchulchunmatang, Jaeumganghwatang, Cheongseoikgitang, and Hoechunyanggyuksan has a significant inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Doinseunggitang and Samhwangsasimtang exerted the effect on the inhibition of $amyloid-{\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) aggregation. Additionally, 10 herbal formulae affected AChE and $A{\beta}$ aggregation revealed antioxidant activity as well as neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammation effects in neuronal cell lines. Conclusions: 10 herbal formulae that have been shown to be effective against the major dementia markers have been shown to have antioxidant activity, neuronal cell protection and inhibition of brain inflammation. Further investigation of these herbal formulae will need to be validated in dementia animal models.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.356-360
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• 2013

Background: Nerve injury sometimes leads to chronic neuropathic pain associated with neuroinflammation in the nervous system. In the case of chronic neuropathic pain, the inflammatory and algesic mediators become predominant and result in pain hypersensitivity following nervous system damage. It is well known that urinary trypsin inhibitor (ulinastatin, UTI) has an anti-inflammatory activity. Recently, the neuroprotective action of UTI on the nervous system after ischemic injury has been reported. Thus, we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of ulinastatin in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced with L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100-120 g. The rats were divided into 3 groups, with n = 8 in each group. The rats in the control group (group 1) were administered normal saline and those in group 2 were administered UTI (50,000 U/kg) intravenously through the tail vein for 3 days from the day of SNL. Rats in group 3 were administered UTI (50,000 U/kg) intravenously from the $5^{th}$ day after SNL. The paw withdrawal threshold was measured using the von Frey test for 3 days starting from the $5^{th}$ day after SNL. Results: The paw withdrawal thresholds were significantly increased in the rats of group 2 compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Ulinastatin, which was administered for 3 days after SNL, increased the paw withdrawal threshold and it could have a neuroprotective effect in the rat model of neuropathic pain.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.447-452
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• 2022

Neurogenic differentiation 1 (NeuroD1) is an essential transcription factor for neuronal differentiation, maturation, and survival, and is associated with inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced glial cells; however, the concrete mechanisms are still ambiguous. Therefore, we investigated whether NeuroD1-targeting miRNAs affect inflammation and neuronal apoptosis, as well as the underlying mechanism. First, we confirmed that miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p, which target NeuroD1, reduced NeuroD1 expression in microglia and astrocytes. In LPS-induced microglia, miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38, and the expression of cyclooxygenase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) via the NF-κB pathway. Moreover, miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p inhibited the expression of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, and IL-1β, which are involved in the innate immune response. In LPS-induced astrocytes, miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p reduced ERK phosphorylation and iNOS expression via the STAT-3 pathway. Notably, miR-30a-5p exerted greater anti-inflammatory effects than miR-153-3p. Together, these results indicate that miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p inhibit MAPK/NF-κB pathway in microglia as well as ERK/STAT-3 pathway in astrocytes to reduce LPS-induced neuronal apoptosis. This study highlights the importance of NeuroD1 in microglia and astrocytes neuroinflammation and suggests that it can be regulated by miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권11호
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• pp.999-1006
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• 2020

최근 중추신경계에서 면역기능을 담당하는 미세아교세포(microglia)의 염증반응을 효율적으로 조절하는 것은 알츠하이머 병, 파킨슨 병 및 헌팅턴 병과 같은 퇴행성 뇌질환의 치료를 위한 중요한 타겟으로 인식되고 있다. 왕귀뚜라미(Teleogryllus emma)는 다양한 치료효능으로 인해 세계적으로 널리 이용되고 있으며, 본 연구팀에서는 최근 왕귀뚜라미의 전사체 분석을 통하여 항균활성을 가지는 다양한 종류의 새로운 항균 펩타이드(antimicrobial peptide; AMP) 후보들을 선별한 바 있다. 항균 펩타이드는 미생물에서부터 포유류까지 매우 다양한 종으로부터 발견되었으며, 현재는 항균활성뿐만 아니라 염증반응과 같은 다양한 질병의 치료제 개발을 위한 후보 물질로 관심을 받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 선행연구를 통하여 선별된 왕귀뚜라미 유래 항균 펩타이드들 중에서 Teleogryllusine(VKWKR-LNNNKVLQKIYFVKI-NH₂)으로 명명된 항균 펩타이드의 신경염증 억제 효능을 관찰하였다. Teleogryllusine의 신경염증 억제 효능을 관찰 하기 위하여 immortalized mouse microglia 세포주인 BV-2 세포에 Teleogryllusine을 1시간 전처리 한 후 LPS를 이용하여 BV-2 세포의 염증 반응을 유도하였다. 그 결과 Teleogryllusin은 최대 처리 농도인 80 ㎍/ml까지 세포독성 없이 nitric oxide (NO) 생성을 현저히 감소시킴을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 염증반응 매개인자인 iNOS와 COX-2 및 cytokine (Il-6, TNF-α)의 발현을 유전자 수준과 단백질 수준에서 확인한 결과 Teleogryllusine 처리농도에 의존적으로 감소됨을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 Teleogryllusine의 신경염증 억제작용 기작을 확인한 결과 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs)와 IκB의 인산화 및 proteosome에 의한 IκB의 분해를 억제함으로서 BV-2 세포의 신경염증반응이 조절됨을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과로 보아 왕귀뚜라미 유래 Teleogryllusine 펩타이드는 신경염증반응에 의해 유도되는 퇴행성 뇌질환 치료 및 예방을 위한 의료용 소재로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.796-804
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• 2011

본 연구에서는 파의 항염증 효과를 밝히고 그 생화학적 기전 해석을 위해 LPS로 활성화된 BV2 microglia를 이용하여 iNOS, COX-2 및 염증성 cytokine의 발현 및 그 산물에 미치는 파 추출물의 영향을 조사하였다. 그 결과 파 추출물은 LPS 처리에 의한 BV2 세포의 iNOS의 발현을 전사 및 번역 수준에서 처리 농도 의존적으로 억제시켰으며, 특히 파 전체 에탄올 추출물(EEWA)의 효과가 가장 탁월하였다. LPS로 유도한 COX-2의 mRNA 및 단백질 발현 역시 파 추출물 처리에 의하여 감소되었으며 뿌리 에탄올 추출물(EERA) 처리군에서 가장 현저한 억제가 관찰되었다. 아울러 염증 반응의 또 다른 주요인자인 염증성 cytokine들(TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ 및 IL-6)의 mRNA 변화를 조사한 결과 파 추출물이 대체적으로 이들 cytokine의 발현을 억제하는 경향을 보였으며, 최종산물인 TNF-${\alpha}$와 IL-6의 생성량 역시 유의한 수준은 아니었으나 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 본 연구의 결과는 파의 추출물은 iNOS, COX-2 및 염증성 cytokine의 발현을 조절함으로서 신경염증 반응을 효과적으로 억제하며, 향후 지속적인 연구가 필요하지만 신경 보호 작용에 탁월한 효능이 있음을 보여주는 것으로 생각된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.8-14
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• 2017

치자 열매는 아시아에서 음식과 옷의 염료로 사용되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는 BV-2 소교세포에서 치자열매 열수추출물(GJ)의 항염증 효과를 관찰하고 그 작용 기전을 연구하였다. GJ는 세포에 독성을 유도하지 않으면서 lipopolysaccharide로 인한 nitric oxide (NO) 분비와 inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) 생성 및 활성산소 생성을 억제하였다. 또한 GJ는 농도의존적으로 heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)의 발현을 유도하였다. 더군다나 HO-1 siRNA를 처리했을 때는 GJ가 iNOS의 발현을 억제하지 못하였다. GJ는 HO-1의 발현에 관여하는 전사인자인 nuclear factor E2-related factor 2를 핵으로 이동시켰다. 또한 GJ에 의한 HO-1의 발현은 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI-3K) 및 p38 kinase 억제제에 의해 감소되었으며, GJ가 Akt와 p38 kinase의 인산화를 유도하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합해보면, GJ는 PI3K/Akt 및 p38 신호전달과정을 통해 HO-1의 발현을 유도함으로써 NO와 같은 염증매개물질의 생성을 억제한다는 것을 알 수 있다. 이러한 연구결과는 치자열매가 신경염증을 억제하는 새로운 기전을 밝힌 것이다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.133-142
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• 2017

Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation significantly improves the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential repair mechanisms involve anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, few studies have focused on the effects of MSCs on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). In this study, MSCs were transplanted intracerebrally into rats 6 hours after HICH. The modified neurological severity score and the modified limb placing test were used to measure behavioral outcomes. Blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal loss were measured by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and neuronal nucleus (NeuN) expression, respectively. Concomitant edema formation was evaluated by H&E staining and brain water content. The effect of MSCs treatment on neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis or polymerase chain reaction of CD68, Iba1, iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The MSCs-treated HICH group showed better performance on behavioral scores and lower brain water content compared to controls. Moreover, the MSC injection increased NeuN and ZO-1 expression measured by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence. Furthermore, MSCs reduced not only levels of CD68, Iba1 and pro-inflammatory factors, but it also inhibited iNOS expression and peroxynitrite formation in perihematomal regions. The results suggest that intracerebral administration of MSCs accelerates neurological function recovery in HICH rats. This may result from the ability of MSCs to suppress inflammation, at least in part, by inhibiting iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.331-342
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• 2020

미세교세포(Microglial cells)에서 신경염증반응(neuroinflammatory responses)의 억제는 알츠하이머질환, 파킨슨질환, 헌팅턴질환과 같은 신경퇴행성질환(neurodegenerative diseases)을 치료하기 위한 주요 표적으로 고려되고 있다. 천문동(Asparagus cochinchinesis)은 열, 기침, 신장 질환, 유방암, 염증성질환 및 뇌질환을 치료하는 데 오랫동안 사용 되어온 전통 치료제(Traditional medicine)이다. 본 연구에서는 lipopolysaccharide (LPS)로 활성화된 BV-2 미세교세포에서 항염증효과가 있는 천문동 뿌리 열수추출물(Aqueous extract from A. cochinchinesis root, AEAC)의 신경보호 메커니즘을 연구하였다. 먼저, 어떤 유의적인 세포독성은 플라보노이드(flavonoid), 페놀(phenol), 사포닌(saponin)을 함유하는 AEAC를 4가지 농도로 처리된 BV-2세포에서 검출되지 않았다. 또한, nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA 및 inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA 수준은 AEAC+LPS 처리군에서 비하여 21%정도 감소하였다. 전염증성 사이토카인(TNF-α과 IL-1β) 및 항염증성 사이토카인(IL-6와 IL-10)농도에 대한 유사한 감소는 비록 감소비율은 다르지만, Vehicle+LPS 처리군에 비해 AEAC+LPS 처리군에서 검출되었다. 더불어, LPS 처리 후 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase의 인산화수준의 증가는 AEAC 전처리군에서 유의하게 회복되었고, 세포주기에서 G2/M의 억제(arrest)는 AEAC+LPS 처리군에서 개선되었다. 또한, LPS 처리로 유도된 ROS의 증가도 AEAC 전처리군에서 감소되었다. 따라서, 이러한 결과는 AEAC가 MAPK 신호전달 경로, 세포주기 및 ROS (reactive oxygen species) 생성의 조절을 통해 LPS 자극에 대한 항신경염증 활성을 유도함을 제시하고 있다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.17-26
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• 2014

${\alpha}$-Asarone exhibits a number of pharmacological actions including neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, anticonvulsive, and cognitive enhancing action. The present study investigated the effects of ${\alpha}$-asarone on pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA, microglial activation, and neuronal damage in the hippocampus and on learning and memory deficits in systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Varying doses of ${\alpha}$-asarone was orally administered (7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days before the LPS (3 mg/kg) injection. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA at 4 and 24 hours after the LPS injection at dose of 30 mg/kg. At 24 hours after the LPS injection, the loss of CA1 neurons, the increase of TUNEL-labeled cells, and the up-regulation of BACE1 expression in the hippocampus were attenuated by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced Iba1 protein expression in the hippocampal tissue at a dose of 30 mg/kg. ${\alpha}$-Asarone did not reduce the number of Iba1-expressing microglia on immunohistochemistry but the average cell size and percentage areas of Iba1-expressing microglia in the hippocampus were significantly decreased by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. In the Morris water maze test, ${\alpha}$-asarone significantly prolonged the swimming time spent in the target and peri-target zones. ${\alpha}$-Asarone also significantly increased the number of target heading and memory score in the Morris water maze. The results suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation in the hippocampus by ${\alpha}$-asarone may be one of the mechanisms for the ${\alpha}$-asarone-mediated ameliorating effect on memory deficits.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.219-228
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• 2015

Excessive microglial activation and subsequent neuroinflammation lead to synaptic loss and dysfunction as well as neuronal cell death, which are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of several neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the regulation of microglial activation has been evaluated as effective therapeutic strategies. Although dieckol (DEK), one of the phlorotannins isolated from marine brown alga Ecklonia cava, has been previously reported to inhibit microglial activation, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated here molecular mechanism of DEK via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Akt and nicotinamide adenine dinuclelotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-mediated pathways. In addition, the neuroprotective mechanism of DEK was investigated in microglia-mediated neurotoxicity models such as neuron-microglia co-culture and microglial conditioned media system. Our results demonstrated that treatment of anti-oxidant DEK potently suppressed phosphorylation of ERK in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $1{\mu}g/ml$)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. In addition, DEK markedly attenuated Akt phosphorylation and increased expression of $gp91^{phox}$, which is the catalytic component of NADPH oxidase complex responsible for microglial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Finally, DEK significantly attenuated neuronal cell death that is induced by treatment of microglial conditioned media containing neurotoxic secretary molecules. These neuroprotective effects of DEK were also confirmed in a neuron-microglia co-culture system using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-transfected B35 neuroblastoma cell line. Taken together, these results suggest that DEK suppresses excessive microglial activation and microglia-mediated neuronal cell death via downregulation of ERK, Akt and NADPH oxidase-mediated pathways.