• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2020

Objectives : US extract is a mixture of each extract of Ulmi cortex and Smilacis rhizoma. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and ovoprotective effects of US extract in in vitro model to identify potential candidates for improving female reproductive function. Methods : The antioxidant activity of US extract was measured using 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory effect of US extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. The antibacterial activity of US extract against vaginitis infection microorganisms were determined with disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The ovoprotective effect of US extract on 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay. Result : US extract showed good antioxidant capacity and inhibited LPS-induced NO production as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 without affecting the cell viability. It showed significant clear zones for Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans but did not indicate the clear zones for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. VCD-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was significantly reduced by US extract pre-treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that US extract has antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-stimulated macrophages, antibacterial activity against vaginitis infection microorganisms, and protective effects on the ovarian cells against VCD-induced ovotoxicity. These findings suggest that the US extract can be used as new prescriptions, supplements, functional foods, and cosmetics for improving female reproductive function.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.72-83
• /
• 2023

Background: Globally, spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a big burden, including 90% suffering permanent disability, and 60%-69% experiencing neuropathic pain. The main causes are oxidative stress, inflammation, and degeneration. The efficacy of the stem cell secretome is promising, but the role of human neural stem cell (HNSC)-secretome in neuropathic pain is unclear. This study evaluated how the mechanism of HNSC-secretome improves neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI rat models through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities. Methods: A proper experimental study investigated 15 Rattus norvegicus divided into normal, control, and treatment groups (30 µL HNSC-secretome, intrathecal in the level of T10, three days post-traumatic SCI). Twenty-eight days post-injury, specimens were collected, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, F2-Isoprostanes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed. Locomotor recovery was evaluated via Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores. Neuropathic pain was evaluated using the Rat Grimace Scale. Results: The HNSC-secretome could improve locomotor recovery and neuropathic pain, decrease F2-Isoprostane (antioxidant), decrease MMP-9 and TNF-α (anti-inflammatory), as well as modulate TGF-β and BDNF (neurotrophic factor). Moreover, HNSC-secretomes maintain the extracellular matrix of SCI by reducing the matrix degradation effect of MMP-9 and increasing the collagen formation effect of TGF-β as a resistor of glial scar formation. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the mechanism of HNSC-secretome in improving neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.164-173
• /
• 2009

The anti-inflammatory effect of Spirulina fusiformis on monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation in mice has been investigated and compared with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Indomethacin. The paw volume, lysosomal enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation, anti-oxidant status and inflammatory mediator tumour necrosis factor-$\alpha$ were studied in control and monosodium urate crystal-induced mice after oral administration of Spirulina platensis in an experimental model for gouty arthritis. In the induced mice, the levels of lysosomal enzymes, inflammatory mediator tumour necrosis factor-$\alpha$, lipid peroxidation and the paw volume increased significantly, whereas the antioxidant status decreased when compared to control mice. $\beta$-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase level were also found to be increased in untreated monosodium urate crystal-incubated polymorphonuclear leucocytes. After the oral administration of Spirulina fusiformis, the physical and biochemical changes observed in monosodium urate crystal-induced animals were significantly restored to near normal levels. The results clearly indicated the anti-inflammatory role of Spirulina fusiformis, a promising drug for gouty arthritis.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.111-115
• /
• 2010

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect of Spirodela polyrrhiza (Lemnaceae), a widely used traditional medicinal plant were investigated. In macrophages nitric oxide (NO) is released as an inflammatory mediator and has been proposed to be an important modulator of many pathophysiological conditions including inflammation. 85% MeOH extracts of S. polyrrhiza (0.01, 0.1, 1 mg/mL) suppressed nitric oxide production in interferone-$\gamma$ (IFN-$\gamma$) and lipopoloysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated macrophages. It also attenuated the expression of inflammatory enzymes like inducible NOS (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) as assessed by immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Moreover, the values obtained with DPPH radical, superoxide anion and NO radical scavenging assay showed that S. polyrrhiza has potent antioxidant properties as a natural ROS scavenger. The results of the present study suggest the potential use of S. polyrrhiza in the treatment of ROS-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.236-241
• /
• 2011

Allium victorialis L. (A. victorialis) is a very popular vegetable in Korea. The most commonly used parts of this vegetable are the bulbs and young leaves. To determine if the mature leaves have any beneficial properties, we investigated antioxidant, anti-${\alpha}$-glucosidase, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of water and ethanol extracts from A. victorialis. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring total phenolic content, DPPH and superoxide radicals scavenging activities. The water extract from A. victorialis ($W{\cdot}A$. victorialis) exhibited higher antioxidant ability than the ethanol extract ($E{\cdot}A$. victorialis). Moreover, the water extract showed strong inhibitory effect on ${\alpha}$-glucosidase. On the other hand, the ethanol extract had greater anti-inflammatory activity on murine macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) and greater anticancer activities against human colon cancer cells (HT-29). These results suggest that mature leaves from E·A. victorialis may have health-enhancing effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.156-165
• /
• 2024

Sprout products, such as broccoli, alfalfa, and cabbage, have positive health effects. Thus far, sprout foods have attracted attention owing to their good bioavailability. In particular, young broccoli sprouts exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects. They contain 100 times more chemoprotective substances than adult broccoli. This study examined the anti-inflammatory effects of freeze-dried young sprout broccoli (FD-YB) in vitro using RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The FD-YB powder antioxidant ability test showed that the radical-scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, FD-YB was not cytotoxic to RAW264.7 cells, and nitric oxide production decreased after the FD-YB treatment of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, FD-YB significantly decreased the expression of inflammation-related proteins (Cyclooxygenase-2, Inducible nitric oxide synthase, and Prostaglandin E Synthase 2) and cytokines (Tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-6). In conclusion, FD-YB can be a potential nutraceutical for preventing and regulating excessive immune responses during inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.8
• /
• pp.1079-1087
• /
• 2021

Gentisic acid (GA), a benzoic acid derivative present in various food ingredients, has been shown to have diverse pharmaceutical activities such as anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects. In this study, we used a co-culture system to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic effects of GA on macrophages and adipocytes, respectively, as well as its effect on obesity-related chronic inflammation. We found that GA effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses by controlling the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating inflammation-related protein pathways. GA treatment also inhibited lipid accumulation in adipocytes by modulating the expression of major adipogenic transcription factors and their upstream protein pathways. Furthermore, in the macrophage-adipocyte co-culture system, GA decreased the production of obesity-related cytokines. These results indicate that GA possesses effective anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic activities and may be used in developing treatments for the management of obesity-related chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.82-88
• /
• 2014

Yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne.) has long been used as a health food and oriental folk medicine because of its nutritional fortification, tonic, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and expectorant effects. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to be implicated in a range of diseases, may be important progenitors of carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulatory effect of yam on antioxidant status and inflammatory conditions during azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. We measured the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), hemolysate antioxidant enzyme activities, colonic mucosal antioxidant enzyme gene expression, and colonic mucosal inflammatory mediator gene expression. The feeding of yam prior to carcinogenesis significantly inhibited AOM-induced colonic ACF formation. In yam-administered rats, erythrocyte levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase were increased and colonic mucosal gene expression of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, and GPx were up-regulated compared to the AOM group. Colonic mucosal gene expression of inflammatory mediators (i.e., nuclear factor kappaB, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-1beta) was suppressed by the yam-supplemented diet. These results suggest that yam could be very useful for the prevention of colon cancer, as they enhance the antioxidant defense system and modulate inflammatory mediators.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.35-41
• /
• 2018

Objectives : Hyeonggaeyeongyotang Gagambang (HYT) is a herbal medicine prescribed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, but it is necessary to study the exact therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial and anti-inflmmatory activities of HYT. Methods : Antibacterial activity of HYT was confirmed by staining Escherichia coli, a gram negative strain, and Staphylococcus aureus, a gram positive strain, on solid Lysogeny Broth (LB) medium containing HYT. Antioxidant activity of HYT was confirmed by 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. The phosphorylation of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment with HYT-treated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages cells was confirmed by immunoblot analysis and the level of interleukin 1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) mRNA expression level was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results : HYT showed a concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and also showed excellent antioxidant activity. HYT treatment attenuated the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$induced by LPS treatment in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages cells. The phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$is crucial for the regulation of the expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA expression level of RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages cells stimulated by LPS treatment was also inhibited by HYT treatment. Conclusions : Through experimental demonstration of the antioxidative, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of HYT, we demonstrated that HYT is a herbal medicine effective for the treatment of inflammatory diseases caused by various bacterial infections.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2022

This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of seed ethanol extracts from Rubus coreanus Miquel (SERC). To investigate the antioxidant activity, total polyphenol and flavonoid content, ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity, and reducing power were measured. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in seed ethanol extracts of R. coreanus Miq. were 4.09 ㎍ gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mg and 16.25 ㎍ quercetin equivalents (QE)/mg, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity showed concentration-dependent scavenging activity, and the RC₅₀ values of SERC were 26.68 ㎍/mL and 39.30 ㎍/mL, respectively. Moreover, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was performed to assess the reducing power, and SERC showed 0.61 ± 0.01 mM FeSO₄ E/mg. To measure the anti-inflammatory effect, the cytotoxicity and nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory efficacy in RAW 264.7 cells was confirmed. SERC showed a NO production inhibitory effect at 500 ㎍/mL without cytotoxicity. As a result of verifying the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity using SERC, its potential as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory material was confirmed.