• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2009

Codonopsis lanceolatae has been used as one of the traditional remedies as well as food source. However, few studies on their immunomodulating effects have been reported. We previously reported that ex vivo supplementation of Codonopsis lanceolatae water extracts enhanced splenocyte proliferation compared to the control group. In order to elucidate its ex vivo effect, six to seven week old balb/c mice were fed ad libitum on a chow diet and water extracts of Codonopsis lanceolatae were orally administrated every other day for four weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500 mg/kg B.W). After preparing the single cell suspension, the proliferation of splenocytes was determined by MTT (3- [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y] -2,5-diphenyl terazolium bromide) assay. The production of cytokine (IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$), secreted by macrophages stimulated with LPS or not, was detected by ELISA assay using a cytokine kit. After 48 hrs of incubation with the mitogen (ConA or LPS) stimulation, the mice splenocyte proliferation in experimental group was statistically increased at two different concentrations than that in control group. The cytokines production was more significantly enhanced at the lower supplementation (500 mg/kg B.W.) group rather than higher concentration (500 mg/kg B.W.) compared to the control group. The results of this study may suggest that the supplementation of water extract of plant mixture could regulate the immune function by increasing the splenocyte proliferation and enhance the immune function through regulating cytokine production capacity by activated macrophages in mice.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.74-78
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• 2007

Ixeris sonchifolia Hance(Godulbaegi), Oenanthe javanica(Dolminari), Fagopyrum esculentum Moench(Buckwheat), Hizikia fusiforme(Seaweed Fusiforme) and Zingiber officinale Roscoe(Ginger) have all been used as one of the traditional remedies as well as food source. There are few studies However, on their immunomodulating effects have been reported. We previously reported that ex vivo supplementation of each of the Ish, Oj, Fem, Hf and Zor water extracts enhanced the splenocytes proliferation compared to the control group. In this study, the combined immunomodulative effects of a plant water extract mixture containing these five food sources(Ish+Oj+Fem+Hf+Zor) was compared to the individual effect of each. The production of cytokine(IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$), secreted by macrophages stimulated with LPS or without, were detected via ELISA assay using a cytokine kit. After 48hrs of incubation with mitogen(ConA or LPS) stimulation, the mouse splenocyte proliferation in the experimental group had significantly increased at two different concentrations compared to the control group. The results of this study may suggest that the supplementing with a plant water extract mixture could regulate immune function by increasing splenocyte proliferation as well as enhance immune function by regulating the cytokine production capacity activated macrophages in mice.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2012

Objectives : Fagopyrum esculentum(FE) has been used for removal of inflammation of internal organs and treatment of sore and ulcer by heat toxin in Korean herbal medicines. In this study, To investigated the protective effect of FE on allergic response, we determined whether FE inhibits allergic response. Methods : The effect of FE was analyzed by ELISA, RT-PCR and Western blot in RBL-2H3 cells. We investigated cell viability, ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, as a marker of degranulation, cytokne, and intracellular ROS and MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling. Results : We found that FE suppressed ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release, the production of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ and intracellular ROS level in RBL-2H3 by the anti-DNP IgE plus DNP-HSA stimulation. FE also significantly inhibited cytokine mRNA expressions, such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ and GM-CSF in RBL-2H3. In addition, PF suppressed the phospholyation of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, p38 and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and NF-${\kappa}B$ signal transduction pathway. Conclusions : Our results indicate that FE protects against allergic response and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and production of cytokines and ROS via the suppression MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ of signal transduction. Abbrevations : FE, Fagopyrum esculentum; RBL-2H3, rat basophilic leukemia cell line; ROS, reactive oxygen species; MAPK, Mitogen-activated protein kinase; $NF{\kappa}B$, nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$; $TNF{\alpha}$, Tumor necrosis factor alpha; GM-CSF, Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor; ERK, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase; JNK, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase; p38, p38 MAP kinase; $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, inhibitory-kappa B alpha.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2009

Objective : Moutan Cortex (the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) is widely used in oriental medicine as a remedy for inflammation. However, as yet there is no clear explanation of how MC(Moutan Cortex) affects the production of inflammatory cytokine. This study was to determine the effects of Essence extracted MC on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Method : We observed the effect of MC on compound 48/80-induced histamine release of rat peritoneal mast cells and the effect of administering MC on PCA in rat. We measured the amount of inflammatory cytokine production induced by the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore(A23187) in the human mast cell line (HMC-1) incubated with various concentrations of MC. The TNF-$\alpha$ protein levels were analysised by Western blot. The TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 secreted protein levels were measured by the ELISA assay. The TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels were measured by the RT-PCR analysis. NF-$\kappa$B, phospho-I$\kappa$B and MAPKs were exmined by Western blot analysis. The NF-$\kappa$B promoter activity was examined by luciferase assay. Result : 1. Enzyme immunoassay indicated that MC suppressed histamine secretion of rat peritoneal mast cells. 2. In PCA dependent on IgE, MC had anti-allergic effect of the internal surface of rat skin. 3. Western blot indicated that MC decreased TNF-$\alpha$ protein levels. 4. ELISA indicated that MC decreased TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 but MC had no significant effect on IL-8 in HMC-1 cells. 5. RT-PCR indicated that MC decreased TNF-$\alpha$, IL-8 but MC had no significant effect on IL-6 in HMC-l cells. 6. Western blot indicated that MC suppressed the induction of MAPKs, NF-$\kappa$B & phospho-I$\kappa$B activity in HMC-1 cells. 7. Luciferase assay indicated that MC suppressed the PMA plus A23187-induced NF-$\kappa$B promoting activityin HMC-1 cells. Conclusion : In this study, we have found that MC is an inhibitor of NF-$\kappa$B, MAPKs & cytokines on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.29-59
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• 2016

Objectives PRAL (Prunus armeniaca Linne Var) has been known to suppress allergic reaction. However, the cellular target and its mechanism of action were unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of PRAL on RBL-2H3 mast cell, which is PMA-Ionomycin-induced activated in vitro and the effect of PRAL on the MNC/Nga mice that are DNCB-induced activated in vivo. Methods In this study, IL-4, IL-13 production were examined by ELISA analysis; IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31Ra, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and GM-CSF mRNA expression were examined by Real-time PCR; manifestations of AP-1 and MAPKs transcription factors were examined by western blotting in vitro. Then skin rashes have been evaluated and verified the distribution of mast cells by H&E and toluidine blue. Also, WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil, IgE level in serum, $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-5 in the splenocyte culture supernatant, the absolute cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $Gr-1^+CD11b^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$, $CD3^+CD69^+$ in the Axillary Lymph Node (ALN), PBMCs and dorsal skin and IL-5, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31Ra in the dorsal skin by Real-time PCR were all evaluated from the NC/BNga mice. Results As a result of this study, the mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31Ra and $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, IL-13 production, shown in ELISA analysis, were suppressed by PRAL. Results from the western blot analysis showed decrease on the expression of mast-cell-specific transcription factors, including AP-1 and p-JNK, p-ERK. Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of the AD-induced NC/Nga mice were improved by PRAL orally adminstration. Orally- administered PRAL group also showred decreased level of IgE in the serum. This group has shown decreased the level of IL-4, IL-5, but shown elevated $IFN-{\gamma}$ level in the splenocyte culture supernatant. The same group also has shown decreased cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3^+CD69^+$ in the ALN, and $CD4^+$, $Gr-1^+CD11b^+$ in the dorsal skin. PRAL oral adminstration increased cell numbers of $CD4^+$, but decreased cell numbers of $CD8^+$, $Gr-1^+CD11b^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the PBMCs. Conclusions Obtained results suggest that PRAL can regulate molecular mediators and immune cells that are functionally associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) induced in the NC/Nga mice. This may play an important role in recovering AD symptoms and suppressing pruritus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.744-750
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• 2009

A bacterial strain producing highly viscous extracellular polysaccharide was isolated from soil. Through morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomical studies, it was identified as a Bacillus sp. and named Bacillus sp. PS-12. The extracellular polysaccharide, named PS-12 was purified by ethanol precipitation, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) precipitation and gel permeation chromatography. The purified polysaccharide was found to consist of glucose, mannose, galactose, and fucose, with a molar ratio of approximately 7:3.2:2:1, respectively. PS-12 was investigated for its immunostimulating activity on murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells using an ELISA assay. PS-12 stimulated the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ to a level 50 times greater than the control and also induced 1L-6 secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 cells by PS-12 was relatively low with 10% cytotoxicity at 2 ${\mu}g$/ml. These results indicate that PS-12 is less cytotoxic to immune cells and possess immunomodulating activity in which it can produce cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$ and 1L-6 from macrophages.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1281-1291
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• 2005

Chungpae-tang is suggested to have the antitumor activity on lung cancer. This study was peformed to investigate apoptotic effect in vitro and antitumor effect and immune response after injection of B16-F10 melanoma cells and Chungpae-tang into a tail vein of C57BL/6 mice and administratition of Chungpae-tang in A549 human lung cancer cell line in vivo, respectively. Experimental studies were obtained by measuring the median survival time and cytokine expression through RT-PCR, and ELISA assay. The results were summarized as follows: 5 mg/ml of Chungpae-tang causing DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 enzyme activation, PARP fragmentation, and cytochrome c release, suggested that Chungpae-tang has in vitro apoptotic effect in A549 human lung cancer cell line in the apoptosis-induced experiment. The median survival time of the Chungpae-tang treated group was 21 days and that of control group was 22 days, suggesting that the median survival time between the Chungpae-tang treated group and the control group was not significant. Cytokine expression between the Chungpae-fang treated group and the control group was noticeable, but was not significant in the RT-PCR. In the ELISA assay, IL-2 productivity in the Chungpae-tang treated group was to increase more than that in the normal group (p<0.05) and was no significant between the Chungpae-tang treated group and the control group. $INF-\gamma$ productivity of the control group decreased more than that of the normal group (p<0.05) and that of the Chungpae-tang-treated group increased more than that of the control group (p<0.05). IL-12 productivity of the control group increased more than that of the normal group (p<0.05) and that of the Chungpae-tang-treated group decreased more than that of the control group (p<0.05) and the normal group. IL-4 productivity of the Chungpae-tang-treated group increased more than that of the normal group and the control group (p<0.05). IL-10 productivity of the Chungpae-tang-treated group increased more than that of the normal group and the control group (p<0.05). Accordingly the results show Chungpae-tang could induce apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cell line and bring to antitumor effect and immune response against injection of B16-F10 melanoma cells into a tail vein of C57BL/6 mice but it needs more research on the precise mechanism of such effects.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1090-1097
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• 2015

Traditionally, mistletoe is known as an effective anti-cancer medicinal plant, and lectin is recognized as a major component with cytotoxic and immuno-stimulant activity in mistletoe. A Korean mistletoe lectin (KML) has specificity to galactose and galactosamine and is distinguish from European mistletoe lectin (EML). When we examined the concentration of lectin in mistletoe originated from five different types of host trees, the result indicate that the lectin concentration is variable depending on the host tree. Noticeably, mistletoe from chestnut tree contains ten folds higher lectins than that of an oak tree. We also tested the concentration of KML and crude extract (KM-110) of Korean mistletoe that shows 90% cytotoxicity in L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cell. In addition, the cells show 90% and 70% viability by the treatment of two neutralizing antibodies of KML, 9H7-D10 and 8B11-2C5 neutralization effect with two monoclonal antibodies of KML, 9H7-D10 and 8B11-2C5. Therefore, the result expected that the mistletoe contain some other cytotoxic components except lectin. Finally, the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lectin free-crude extract (LFKM-110) following neutralization by 9H7-D10 monoclonal antibody shows higher than that of lectin containing-crude extract (KM-110). These results suggest that the Korean mistletoe lectin ha a great potential to be developed as therapeutic agent of cancer.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.232-238
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• 2002

연구목적 : Cytokine은 유해 미생물에 대한 숙주의 방어기전으로서의 염증반응에서 숙주세포 상호간의 작용을 매개해 주는 역할을 하며, 인간의 치수조직에서도 그 존재가 확인된 바 있다. Interleukin-6와 Interleukin-10은 염증의 초기에 작용하는 cytokine으로 알려져 있으나, 치수 및 치근단 질환에서의 역할과 상호작용에 대해서는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 치수염의 원인균으로 알려진 Prevotella nigrescens를 이용하여 백서의 치수염을 유도한 후 시간의 변화에 따른 Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10의 농도의 변화를 측정하여 이들의 치수염에서의 작용을 알아보는 것을 목적으로 한다. 방법 : 실험적으로 치수의 염증반응을 일으키기 위하여 치수염의 원인균으로 알려진 Prevotella nigrescens를 이용하였다. 실험동물의 하악절치의 incisal tip부분을 절단한 후(n=120), 치수강을 개방시켰다. 실험군에서는 Prevotella nigrescens를 멸균된 면구에 묻혀서 개방된 치수강 내에 접종하였으며, 대조군에서는 균을 접종하지 않고 멸균된 면구만을 개방된 치수강 내에 위치시켰다. 그 후 1, 2, 5일이 경과되었을 때 실험에 사용된 치아를 발치하여, 치수조직을 적출하였다. Amersham사의 ELISA kit를 사용하여 적출된 치수조직내의 Interleukin-6와 Interleukin-10의 양을 측정하였으며 그 결과를 Mann-Whitney rank sum test를 사용하여 통계학적 유의성을 검증하였다. 조직학적 검사를 위해서는 발치된 치아를 nitric acid를 사용하여 탈회시킨 후 헤마톡실린-에오신 염색을 시행한 후 관찰하였다. 결과 : 1) Interleukin-6의 농도는 균접종 후 1일, 2일, 5일 모두에서 실험군에서 대조군보다 높게 나타났으며, 균접종 1일째의 결과는 통계적 유의성이 있었다(P<0.05). 2) Interleukin-10의 농도는 균접종 후 1일, 2일, 5일 모두에서 실험군에서 대조군보다 높게 나타났으며, 균접종 1일째의 결과는 통계적 유의성이 있었다(P<0.05). 3) Interleukin-10/1nterleukin-6 ratio는 실험군과 대조군 모두에서 1일보다 2일째의 결과에서 더 높은 값을 보였으며 대조군에서는 통계적 유의성을 보였다(P<0.05). 4)조직학적 관찰결과 균접종 후 2일째의 조직표본에서는 림프구의 침윤과 부분적인 조직의 괴사 등 염증반응의 양상을 관찰할 수 있었으며, 균접종 5일째의 조직표본에서는 염증의 정도가 감소되는 양상을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.168-173
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• 2015

Bangpungtongseong-san(BPTSS, Fangfengtongsheng-san in Chineses) is a traditional herbal formula comprising 18 medicinal herbs. In the present study, we performed the simultaneous analysis for four compounds of BPTSS and examined anti-allergic effects in human keratinocytes and mouse splenocytes. The column for separation of four compounds was used Luna C18 column and maintained at 40℃. The mobile phase for gradient elution consisted of two solvent systems. The analysis was carried out at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with PDA detection at 254 and 280 nm. To evaluate production and expression of Th2 chemokines, ELISA and RT-PCR were conducted in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells with or without BPTSS or silymarin, a positive control for skin inflammation. To measure Th2 cytokines, primary mouse splenocytes were treated with BPTSS and performed ELISA for interleukin (IL)-4, 5, 13. Calibration curves were acquired with r2>0.9999. The contents of geniposide, liquiritin, baicalin, and glycyrrhizin in BPTSS were 5.06 ㎎/g, 7.33 ㎎/g, 27.56 ㎎/g, and 7.81 ㎎/g, respectively. BPTSS reduced TARC and RANTES production and mRNA expression in TNF-α and IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells. BPTSS inhibited IL-4, 5, and 13 production in mouse splenocytes. Our data will be a helpful information to upgrade quality control and anti-allergic effects of BPTSS.