• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.254-254
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• 1996

Eosinophils are known to be important effector cells in pathogenesis of asthma. The elucidation of mechanism by which eosinophil survival is regulated in vivo at sites of inflammation is critical tn our understanding of asthma pathogenesis. The maintenance of these cells at site of inflammation depends upon tile balance between its tendency to undergo apoptosis and tile local eosinophil-viability enhancing activity, Qualitative and quantative phenotypic differences have been observed between bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood (PB) eosinophils (EOS). We hypothesize that BAL EOS Possess altered functional feature compared to PB EOS. BAL and PB EOS were obtained from ragweed allergic asthmatics after segmental antigen challenge (SAC) at 24 hour or one week, and purified over percoll and CDl6 negative selection. Cells were cultured in duplicate in RPMI, 15% FCS and 1% penicillin/streptomycin without exogenous cytokines. Eosinophil purity and viability was >92%. BAL. EOS viability was 69${\pm}$4.4% versus 39${\pm}$1.6% for PB EOS (p<0.005) at 48 hour time point, and this difference was maintained through day 5 (32${\pm}$7.6% vs. 3.0${\pm}$ 1.4%, p<0.05), Among BAL EOS, those harvested one week after SAC appeared to have an prolonged survival compared to those harvested at 24 hour. Coculture of BAL and PB EOS resulted in significant viability enhancement than expecteed. Direct neutralization of GM-CSF activity, not IL-3 and EL-5, markedly decreased tile survival of BAL EOS in culture, and abrogated tile viability enhancing activity of their culture supernatants in a dose dependent manner. We conclude that BAL EOS activated in vivo possess enhanced viability compared to PB EOS. Mixing and neutralization experiments suggest a role for autocrine production of GM-CSF.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.273-279
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• 2000

Leukotriene $B_4\;(LTB_4)$ is a pro-inflammatory mediator synthesized in myeloid cells from arachidonic acid. Elevated levels of $LTB_4$ have been found in a number of inflammatory diseases and levels are related to disease activity in some of these. Because $LTB_4$ interacts with cells through specific cell surface receptors, $LTB_4$ receptor blockade is the most specific approach to reduce the pathogenic role of $LTB_4$. In order to find $LTB_4$ receptor antagonist from plants, we screened the $LTB_4$ receptor antagonistic activity of the methanol extract and solvent fractions of herbal drugs. The ability of samples to inhibit specific binding of $[^3H]-LTB_4$ to human peripheral neutrophils was used as assay to evaluate the antagonistic activity of plant materials. Among the tested methanol extracts of herbal drugs, Mori Radicis Cortex, Perillae Semen, Armeniacae Semen and Sophorae subprostratae Radix showed potent inhibitory activity above 70% at the concentration of $100\;{mu}g/ml$. The inhibitory activities of $LTB_4$ binding to human neutrophils were evaluated for several solvent fractions at three different concentrations. Especially, hexane soluble fractions of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Embeliae Radix, and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of Aristolochiae Fructus, Magnoliae Cortex and Zingiberis Rhizoma crudus showed moderate activity at $25\;{mu}g/ml$. These fractions were promising candidates for the study of the activity-guided chromatographic purification of active compounds. Silica gel column chromatography of hexane soluble fractions of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Embeliae Radix gave very active sub-fractions, AA-4 and ES-4, and their inhibition activities of $LTB_4$ binding to human neutrophil at $30\;{mu}g/ml$ were 78% and 62%, respectively. From these results we could anticipate new $LTB_4$ receptor antagonist from herbal drugs, and the block of $LTB_4$ effects may provide beneficial in neutrophil mediated diseases such as inflammation and bronchial asthma.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.15-23
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• 2013

Objectives : To clarify the possible effects of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation in a asthmatic mouse model. Methods : BALBav/c mice were sensitized to OVA followed intratracheally and by aerosol allergene challenges. We investigated the effect of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen on airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophiic infitratio, immune cell phenotype, The2 cytokine product, and OVA-spedific IgE production. Results : Total lung cells, eosinophils, and lung leukocytes, OVA specific IgE levels, and Th 2cytokine levels such as IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-alpha, and eotaxin in BALF were reduced compared with those of OVA sensitized asthma mice (control). The absolute numbers of $CD3^+$, $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CD3^-/CCR3^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+$, $B220^+/CD22^+$, $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in lung tissiues significantly reduced compared to those of control. Specially total lung cells in BALF and the absolute number of $CD3^+/CD69^+$ and, $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in lung tissiue effectively reduced in Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen compared to those of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen. Conclusions : These results indicate that Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen has deep inhibitory effects on airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in asmatic mouse model and also has effect of suppression of IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, OVA specific IgE production in BALF. The results verified that Sinapis Semen, Raphani Semen, and Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen could act as a immunomodulator which possess anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic property by modulating the relationship of Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.95-109
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• 2003

Inflammatory lung diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. The sources of the increased oxidative stress in patients with chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) derive from the increased burden of inhaled oxidants, and from the increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by several inflammatory, immune and various structural cells of the airways. Increased levels of ROS produced in the airways is reflected by increased markers of oxidative stress in the airspaces, sputum, breath, lungs and blood in patients with lung diseases. ROS, either directly or via the formation of lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal may play a role in enhancing the inflammation through the activation of stress kinases (JNK, MAPK, p38) and redox sensitive transcription factors such as NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1. Recent evidences have indicated that oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators can alter nuclear histone acetylation/deacetylation allowing access for transcription factor DNA binding leading to enhanced pro-inflammatory gene expression in various lung cells. Understanding of the mechanisms of redox signaling, NF-${\kappa}B$/AP-1 regulation, the balance between histone acetylation and deacetylation and the release and expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators may lead to the development of novel therapies based on the pharmacological manipulation of antioxidants in lung inflammation and injury. Antioxidants that have effective wide spectrum activity and good bioavailability, thiols or molecules which have dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, may be potential therapeutic agents which not only protect against the direct injurious effects of oxidants, but may fundamentally alter the underlying inflammatory processes which play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.976-982
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• 2010

We studied to know the anti-inflammation effect on water extracts of Lophatheri Herba which was growing in every places in our country. We objected free radical scanvenger effect and nitrite eliminate effect of the Lophatheri Herba water extracts, and the cell viabillity, the effects of Lophatheri Herba water extracts on NO production, iNOS synthesis induced by LPS. Free radical scavenger effects were $27.91{\pm}0.12%$, $38.96{\pm}0.10%$, $46.22{\pm}0.15%$ depend on 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/ml each dose of Lophatheri Herba water extracts. Nitrite eliminate effects were $9.86{\pm}0.3%$, $80.61{\pm}0.23%$, $97.62{\pm}0.56%$ in 0.1, 1.0, 2.0 mg/ml Lophatheri Herba water extracts on pH 1.2. NO production and iNOS synthesis induced by LPS were reduced in RAW 264.7 cell by Lophatheri Herba water extracts. As the above results, Lophatheri Herba water extracts have anti-inflammation effects via NO production decrease, iNOS synthesis decrease mechanism. So Lophatheri Herba water extracts will be used as the protection or treatment in chronic inflammation desease like a asthma, stomatitis etc.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.427-439
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• 2004

It has been reported that Bopheyangyoungjeon(BYJ) has an effect on deficiency asthma(喘虛) clinically. The aim of this study was to determine an appropriate dosage of BYJ to treat asthma. In order to study the effects of orally administered BYJ on allergic asthma, mice were pretreated with three oral doses of the herbal solution of BYJ before antigen sensitization. 2 days later Mice were actively sensitized with a subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and 13 day later ovalbumin aerosols were used to provoke asthmatic reaction. Serum level of IgE, IL-4, WBC, RBC, HGB, cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), and in vitro isometric contractile responses of the isolated tracheal smooth muscle(TSM) to acetylcholine(ACh, 0.1-1000uM), KCl were measured. The results were as follows ; 1. Contractile responses of TSM to ACh significantly increased in C group at Ach 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300, 1000uM(P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased in D at 0.1, 0.3, 3, 30, 30, 100, 300, 1000uM. 2. The sensitivity of TSM to Ach increased more in A, B group, but it was not significant. 3. The maximal contractile response of TSM to ACh decreased more significantly in C group(P<0.01) and D group(P<0.05) the control group. 4. The maximal contractile response of TSM to KCI decreased more significantly in B group and C group(P<0.001) than in the control group. 5. The counts of lymphocytes in BALF decreased more significantly in B group and D group(P<0.05) than in the control group. 6. The counts of macrophages in BALF decreased more significantly in B group, C(P<0.05) than in the control group. 8. Serum IgE level increased more significantly in B group and C group(P<0.05) than the control group. 9. The counts of WBC, RBC, HGB in blood increased more significantly in A group than the control group. The above results support a role for BYJ orally administered in treatment of deficiency allergic Asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.889-894
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• 2006

Purpose : Asthma is characterized by the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR) and inflammation. The extensive eosinophil infiltration into the lung is the hallmark of asthma and contributes to the damage of respiratory epithelium during late phase airway responses. Eotaxin is the major eosinophil chemoattractant found in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid of allergic inflammation. IL-13 has been known to induce the expression of exotaxin and eosinophilia. IL-13 also induces airway inflammation, mucus production and leads to marked fibrosis, airway remodeling and AHR. We investigated whether serum IL-13 levels can reflect the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness in children with asthma, and the relationship between serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels. Methods : Using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels were measured in 13 atopic asthmatics, 5 atopic non-asthmatics and 12 control subjects. Metacholine challenge tests were performed in all subjects. Airway hyperresponsiveness to metacholine was expressed as provocative concentration of metacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1[$PC_{20}mg/mL$]. $PC_{20}$ value of 25 mg/mL was used as a cut-off for defining a AHR. Results : Serum IL-13 levels showed positive correlation with eotaxin levels. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels showed no differences among atopic asthmatics, atopic non-asthmatics and control subjects. And there were no differences serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels in children with and without AHR and atopy. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels did not correlate with $logPC_{20}$ levels. Conclusion : IL-13 is closely related to the eotaxin release. But serum IL-13 and eotaxin per se can't predict the severity of airway hyperresponsiveness. IL-13 and eotaxin may have local effect on respiratory epithelium or there can be some factors to induce airway hyperresponsiveness other than serum IL-13 in asthmatic airways.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2001

Background : Bronchial asthma is characterized by a reversible airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and eosinophilic airway inflammation. The bronchodilator response(BDR) after short acting beta agonist inhalation and PC20 with methacholine inhalation are frequently used for diagnosing bronchial asthma. However, the relationship between the presence of a bronchodilator response and the degree of airway hyperresponsiveness is uncertain. Therefore, the availability of a eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and a correlation ECP with a bronchodilator response and airway hyperresponsiveness was investigated. Method : A total 71 patients with a moderate to severe degree of bronchial asthma were enrolled and divided into two groups. 31 patients with a positive bronchodilator response and 38 patients with a negative bronchodilator response were evaluated. In both groups, the serum ECP, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, and total IgE level were measured and the methacholine bronchial provocation test was examined. Results : There were no differences observed in age, sex, atopy, and baseline spirometry in both groups. The peripheral eosinophil counts showed no difference in both groups, but the ECP level in group 1 (bronchodilator responder group) was higher than in group 2(non-bronchodilator responder group) ($22.4{\pm}20.7$ vs $14.2{\pm}10.4$, mean$\pm$SD). The PC20 in group 1 was significantly lower than in group 2 ($1.14{\pm}1.68$ vs $66{\pm}2.98$). There was a significant positive correlation between the BDR and ECP, and a negative correlation between the bronchial hyperresponsiveness and ECP. Conclusion : The bronchodilator response significantly correlated with the bronchial hyperresponsiveness and serum ECP in the moderate to severe asthma patients. Hence, the positive bronchodilator response is probably related with active bronchial inflammation and may be used as a valuable index in treatment, course and prognosis of bronchial asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.505-513
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• 2013

Because the prevalence of allergic diseases has significantly increased in recent years, understanding the causes and mechanisms of these disorders is of high importance, and intense investigations are ongoing. Current knowledge pinpoints immune tolerance mechanisms as indispensable for healthy immune response to allergens in daily life. It is evident that development and maintenance of allergen-specific T cell tolerance is of vital importance for a healthy immune response to allergens. Such tolerance can be gained spontaneously by dose-dependent exposures to allergens in nature or by allergen-specific immunotherapy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy induces regulatory T cells with the capacity to secrete interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$, limits activation of effector cells of allergic inflammation (such as mast cells and basophils), and switches antibody isotype from IgE to the noninflammatory type IgG4. Although allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only method of tolerance induction in allergic individuals, several factors, such as long duration of treatment, compliance problems, and life-threatening side effects, have limited widespread applicability of this immunomodulatory treatment. To overcome these limitations, current research focuses on the introduction of allergens in more efficient and safer ways. Defining the endotypes and phenotypes of allergic diseases might provide the ability to select ideal patients, and novel biomarkers might ensure new custom-tailored therapy modalities.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.812-817
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• 1996

There were so many causes of chronic coughing including postnasal drip, pneumonia, nasal polyp, asthma, interstinal lung disease etc. Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula was not usually thought as cause of chronic coughing. A 46-year-old female patient suffered from chronic coughing without usual causes. Her chest X-ray viewed normally. She coughed especially after swallowing foods. So we recommended her esophagogram and it revealed broncho-esphageal fistula. She underwent surgical resection of broncho-esophageal fistula. She was well without cough after the surgery. We reported a case of congenital broncho-esphageal fistula that had caused chronic coughing without any evidence of pneumonia, malignancy, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, inflammation, asthma, nasal polyp, etc. So we should suspect the bronchoesophageal fistula when patients cough chronically with eating, and recommend the esophagogram.