• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.479-486
• /
• 2005

Arabinoxylan, a complex polysaccharide in cereal cell walls, has recently received research attention as a biological response modifier. The immunomodulating effect of arabinoxylans from rice bran (AXrb) was studied using a combined process of extrusion and commercial hemicellulase treatment in order to elucidate the augmentation mechanism of cell-mediated immunity in vitro. The cytotoxicity of mouse spleen lymphocytes against YAC-1 tumor cells was significantly enhanced by treatment with AXrb at $10-100\;{\mu}g/mL$. In an attempt to investigate the mechanism by which AXrb enhance NK cytotoxicity, we examined the effect of AXrb on cytokine production by spleen lymphocytes. Culture supernatants of the cells incubated with AXrb were collected and analyzed for IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ synthesis by ELISA. IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ production were increased significantly. These results suggest that AXrb may induce Th1 immune responses. Macrophages play an important role in host defenses against tumors by killing them and producing secretory products, which protect against bacterial, viral infection and malignant cell growth. AXrb were examined for their ability to induce secretory and cellular responses in murine peritoneal macrophages. When macrophages were treated with various concentrations ($10-100\;{\mu}g/mL$) of AXrb, AXrb induced tumoricidal activity, as well as increasing phagocytosis and the production of NO, $H_2O_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. These results indicate that reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and inflammatory cytokines are likely to be the major mediators of tumoricidal activity in AXrb-treated macrophages. Therefore, AXrb may be useful in cancer immunotherapy and it is anticipated that AXrb obtained using extrusion and subsequent enzyme treatment can be used as an ingredient in nutraceuticals and cereal-based functional food.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.94-103
• /
• 2008

비만세포의 한 종류인 rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) 세포를 이용하여 교계사물탕-가감의 항알레르기 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)와 calcium ionophore A23187을 이용하여 RBL-2H3 세포를 자극한 후 세포의 탈과립 정도를 $\beta$-hexosaminidase assay로 확인한 결과, 전 처리한 교계사물탕-가감의 농도 의존적으로 탈과립을 억제하였다. Pro-inflammatory cytokines인 tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha와 interleukin(IL)-4의 분비량을 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)로 확인한 결과 교계사물탕-가감의 농도 의존적으로 감소하였으며, 이들 cytokines와 염증 반응에 주요한 인자인 cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 의 mRNA 발현 정도 역시 교계사물탕-가감에 의해 감소함을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 실험 결과로 보아 교계사물탕-가감은 알레르기 관련 질환의 치료에 응용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2008

Background: Coptis chinensis rhizome has been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Oriental medicine. We investigated the effects of Coptis chinensis extract on inflammatory mediators and delayed type hypersensitivity in mice. Methods: The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of Coptis chinensis (CCE) on cell proliferation was evaluated using MTS assay. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and the Con A-activated mouse splenocytes were cultured with various concentrations of CCE. Total nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by Griess reaction. The amounts of secreted prostaglandine E2 ($PGE_2$), interleukin (IL)-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured by ELISA. To investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of CCE, oxazolone-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) model was used. Results: The CCE at $100{\mu}g/ml$ significantly blocked the LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO and PGE) in RAW264.7 macrophages. Also, it significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$) production in splenocytes. Furthermore, when splenocytes from CCE fed mice (200 mg/kg for 2 weeks) were activated with Con A, cell proliferation and cytokine production were significantly inhibited. In addition, CCE decreased in vivo inflammation in oxazolone-induced DTH model mice. Conclusion: We suggest that Coptis chinensis can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug by exerting an inhibitory effect in inflammatory mediator- and cell-mediated inflammation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.43-56
• /
• 2004

Objectives : In order to investigate effects and immune improvement of distilled red-ginseng herbal Acupuncture, expression of Cox-1, Cox-2, and mRNA of Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed in A549 cell in vivo. Survival time and expression of cytokine mRNA were measured for the mice with Sarcoma-180 induced abdominal cancer. Methods : Balb/c mouse was treated with distilled red-ginseng Herbal Acupuncture at Wisu($BL_{21}$) and Chung- wan($CV_{12}$) to investigate anti-cancer effects and immune response. Results : 1. For expression of mRNA of Cox-1 using RT-PCR, the control group and the experiment groups didn't show significant differences. For Cox-2, both experiment groups and the normal group showed significant differences. 2. For expression of mRNA of Bcl-2 using RT-PCR, experiment groups showed slight decrease compared to the control group. For Bax, no significant changes were shown between the control group and experiment groups. 3. For survival time, all of experiment groups showed 11.1% increase compared to the control group. 4. For IL-2 and IL-4 productivity using Flow cytometry, all of experiment groups didn't show any significance. 5. For IL-2 productivity using ELISA, all of experiment groups didn't show any significance. 6. For expression of cytokine mRNA using RT-PCR, significant increase of IL.-2 and IL-4 were witnessed in the experiment group II compared to the control group. Significant increase of IL-10 was shown in all off experiment groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : According to the results, we can expect that distilled red-ginseng Herbal Acupuncture may be further effccts in anti-cancer and immune improvement if increasing concentration.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.15-24
• /
• 2011

Background: Type I allergy is involved in allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis which are accompanied by an acute and chronic allergic inflammatory responses. Rehmannia glutinosa is a traditional medicine in the East Asian region. This study examined whether a Rehmannia Glutinosa pharmacopuncture solution (RGPS) had anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory effects in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells. Methods: We determined the effect of RGPS on cell viability using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. We also examined the effect of RGPS on the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and the secretion of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ using ELISA. In addition, we evaluated the effect of RGPS on the mRNA expression of various cytokines; IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-${\alpha}$ using RT-PCR. Furthermore, we assessed the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}$B using Western blotting after RGPS treatment. Results: We found that RGPS ($10^{-4}$ to $10^{-1}$ dilution) did not cause any cytotoxicity. We observed significant inhibition of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release and suppression of the protein secretion of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ and mRNA expression of multiple cytokines in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells after RGPS treatment. Additionally, RGPS suppressed not only the phosphorylation of MAPKs, but also the transcriptional activation of NF-${\kappa}$B in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that RGPS inhibits degranulation and expression of cytokines including IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ via down-regulation of MAPKs and NF-${\kappa}$B activation in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells. In conclusion, RGPS may have beneficial effects in the exerting anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory activities.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.228-236
• /
• 2006

Objectives : Macrophage has an important innate defense role in the immune system. When we are infected with pathogens, macrophage ingests them through phagocytosis or endocytosis, and then secretes many cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6 and $TGF{\alpha}$, which are regulators of immune responses. The aim of this study is to determine how Samjunghwan effects the expression of cytokine and other immune-related genes in macrophages. Methods : Cells were treated directly with Samjunghwan and/or LPS at regular intervals. Total RNA of cells was isolated using TRIzol reagent, and the changes in cytokine gene expressions were investigated using RT-PCR, western blot and ELISA. Results : $IL-1{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and COX-2 genes were inducibly expressed specifically by Samjunghwan in macrophage. Especially, $IL-1{\beta}$ gene was induced most strongly by treatment with Samjunghwan. Over time, treatment with Samjunghwan showed that the expression levels of $IL-1{\alpha}\;and\;$IL-1{\beta}$ genes increased from 1 to 4h, and then decreased from 4 to ISh. However, the expression level of COX-2 gene increased continuously up to 11h. $IL-1{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and COX-2 genes were expressed synergistically by a simultaneous treatment of both Samjunghwan and LPS in macrophages. Secretion levels of translated $IL-1{\beta}$ increased continuously up to 11h. Conclusions : Though this study is only a start in the investigation of the efficasy of Samjunghwan, these results suggest that Samjunghwan has positive effects on immune responses.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.73-79
• /
• 1999

In this research we proceeded experiments to find the basis which make it possible to explain the physical and pathological process of Sasang constitutional medicine, in the way substituting hematopoietic-immune system(essence of life, blood, Ki and mental faculties : 精血氣神) Under these suppositions, the essence of life(精) is the multipotent stem cell which has the possibility to be specialized to any cell, the Ki(氣), blood(血) and mental faculties(神) are inferred that they are formed from specialized the essence of life(精), the blood(血) is the red blood cells and etc. that appears as the result of the genesis of circulation system. The Ki(氣) is from specialized basic immunity, the mental faculties(神) means long-term memories or combined immunity. Cytokines can act as specilaizing, growing factors and particiate in extremly combined procedure being controlled by both positive and negative specializing signals. Blood gathering was carried out in the morning and on empty stomach. The plasma was seperated and Erythropoietin, Stem cell factor, Granulocyte-colony stimulaing factor, Tumor necrosis factor, interlukin-3, Interleukin-6 were measured with ELISA kit. According to the result of post analysis by Duncan, each constitution is different in SCF(stem cell factor), IL-6(interleukin-6), EPO(erythropoietin). The value of Stem cell factor is high in order of Soumin(少陰人), Soyangin(少陽人), and Taeumin(太陰人), The value of interleukin-6 is high in Taeumin, Soumin, and Soyangin. Erythropoietin is high in order of Soumin, Soyangin, and Taeumin.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2004

Body antioxidant status is an important factor for the prevention of many chronic diseases in the elderly. This study was done to investigate antioxidant status and its relationship to immune response by measuring plasma cytokine (IL-2 and IL-6) levels in elderly women. Subjects were 76 elderly women aged over 60 years, visiting Jangwhi Social Welfare Center of Seongbook-Gu in Seoul. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to age (< 65, 65 - 74, > 75). Dietary intakes were assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SFFQ). Plasma vitamin C level was measured by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method and plasma levels of vitamin E, A and ${\beta}$-carotene were measured by HPLC. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were determined with a solid phase sandwich enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) using commercial kits. The average intakes of antioxidant vitamins were 96.3mg (137.5% of RDA) for vitamin C and 523.3 ${\mu}$gRE (74.8% of RDA) for vitamin A in elderly women. All of the average plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins were within normal range. However the percentage of the elderly women with deficiency plus marginal values were 7.9% in vitamin C, 9.2% in vitamin A and 7.9% in vitamin E. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were 27.1${\pm}$7.1pg/ml and 5.9${\pm}$5.3pg/ml in elderly women. Correlation data showed that plasma IL-2 level was negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C level. In addition, IL-6 level was also negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C, A and E levels, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance(TB-ARS) level and plasma IL-2 or IL-6 levels. In addition, erythrocyte TBARS level showed a significant positive correlation with plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) level and a significant negative correlation with plasma vitamin C level. Overall results might imply that the decreased levels of antioxidant vitamins result in an increase in oxidative stress and thereby increase cytokine production such as IL-2 and IL-6. However further research is required to elucidate these relationships.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.86-95
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Ulmus davidiana (UD) has been widely used in Korean herbal medicines used for treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rhinitis, asthma, and abscess. In this study, To investigated the protective effect of UD on type 1 allergic response, we determined whether UD inhibits early and late allergic response. Methods : The effect of UD was analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 cells. Levels of ${\beta}$ -hexosaminidase, interleukin (IL)-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). mRNA levels of COX-2 and T-helper type 2(Th2) cytokines were analyzed with RT-PCR. Results : We found that UD suppressed ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 not only by the PMA plus A23187 stimulation, but also by the IgE-DNP-HSA stimulation at the antigen-antibody binding stage and antibody-receptor binding stage. UD also significantly inhibited COX2 level, along with reduced Th2 cytokine levels, such as IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3. Conclusions : Our results indicate that UD protects against type 1 allergic response and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and expression of COX2 and Th2 cytokines.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.60-73
• /
• 2009

Objective : Houttuyniae Herba is widely used in oriental medicine as a remedy for inflammation. However, as yet there is no clear explanation of how Houttuyniae Herba affects the production of inflammatory cytokine. This study was to determine the effects of Essence extracted from Houttuynia cordata Thunb(HCT) on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Method : 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 HCT. 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. Nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins were exmined by Western blot analysis. The NF-$\kappa$B promoter activity was examined by a luciferase assay. Result : HCT inhibited the PMA + A23187-induced TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 expression and reduced mRNA of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8. we observed that HCT suppressed the induction of NF-B activity. In addition, HCT suppressed PMA plus A23187-induced NF-$\kappa$B promoting activity. Conclusion : In this study, we have found that HCT is an inhibitor of NF-$\kappa$B and cytokines on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses.