• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.283-288
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• 2013

The pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF${\alpha}$) and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ are crucial mediators involved in chronic inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory signal pathways regulate inflammatory cytokine expression-mediated by p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK). Therefore, considerable attention has been given to p38MAPK as a target molecule for the development of a novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics. BIRB 796, one of p38MAPK inhibitor, is a candidate of therapeutic drug for chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of BIRB 796 on inflammatory cytokine productions by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in different immune cell types. BIRB 796 reduced LPS-mediated IL-8 production in THP-1 cells but not in Raw 264.7 cells. Further analysis of signal molecules by western blot revealed that BIRB 796 sufficiently suppressed LPS-mediated phosphorylation of p38MAPK in both cell types whereas it failed to block inhibitor of kappa B (I-${\kappa}B$) degradation in Raw 264.7 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory function of BIRB 796 depends on cell types.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.170-176
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• 2015

In vaccine development, the major points may be induction of effective and increased levels of antibody production. This is especially the case when the antigenic sources are carbohydrates. For many years, thus, we have researched various types of formulations such as liposomal and conjugate vaccines. However, the fastidious formulation process and high costs are a problem. For this reason, there is currently a focus on utilizing immunoadjuvants. In this present study, we tested if platycodin D (PLD) from Platycodon Radix have immunoadjuvant activity against the cell wall of Candida albicans (CACW). The resulting data showed that in the murine model of antibody production, CACW combined with PLD [CACW/PLD/IFA] increased the production of antibodies specific to C. albicans when compared to the antibody production by [CACW/IFA]-induction, which was used as a negative control (P<0.05). In the case of [CACW/PLD/IFA], the antibody production was 1.4 times as that of the CFA. In addition, formulations containing either had a prolonged antibody inducing activity maintaining the initial titers of antibody as compared to the CFA formula. Cytokine profiling with the antisera displayed that the PLD produced both Th1 and Th2 immunoresponses, but Th1 dominant was much greater (P<0.05). Furthermore, [CACW/PLD/IFA] formula enhanced resistance of mice against disseminated candidiasis, whereas the CFA had no such effect. In conclusion, PLD has an immunologic activity, which is protective against the disease. Thus, PLD can be a goof candidate for a new immunoadjuvant in development of the fungal vaccine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.419-426
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• 2004

This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of Yukgunja-tang(YGJT) on the inhibition of cerebral ischemia in rats. And We measured regional cerebral blood f1ow(rCBF) and pial arterial diameter(PAD) in cerebral ischemic rats, and cytokines production in serum Of cerebral ischemic rats. The results were as follows; Both rCBF and PAD were significantly and stably increased by YGJT(10 mg/kg, i.p.) during the period of cerebral reperfusion, which contrasted with the findings of rapid and marked increase in control group. In cytokine production of serum by drawing from femoral arterial blood after middle cerebral arterial occlusion(MCAO) 1 hr, IL-1β and TGF-β production of sample group were similar to that of control group, but sample group was decreased TNF-α production compared with control group, and was significantly increased IL-10 production in compared with control group. In cytokine production of serum by drawing from femoral arterial blood after reperfusion 1 hr, sample group was significantly decreased IL-1β and TNF-α production compared with control group, but TGF-β production of sample group was similar to that of control group, and sample group was significantly increased IL-10 production compared with control group. In cytokine production of serum by drawing from femoral arterial blood after reperfusion 4 hrs, sample group was significantly decreased IL-1β production compared with control group, and sample group was decreased TNF-α production in compared with control group, but TGF-β production of sample group was similar to that of control group, and sample group was increased IL-10 production compared with control group. This results were suggested that YGJT has inhibitive effect on the brain damage by inhibited IL-1β production and TNF-α production, but accelerated IL-10 production. We thought that YGJT should have an anti-ischemic effect through the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics and inhibitive effect on the brain damage.

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

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.113-119
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Angelicae Gigantis Radix Water Extract(AG) on the production of proinflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Method : RAW 264.7 cells were cotreated with AG(50 and 100 ug/mL) and lipopolysaccharide(LPS; 1 ug/mL) for 24 hours. After 24 hour treatment, using Bead-based multiplex cytokine assay, concentrations of various cytokines such as interleukin(IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF), interferon inducible protein-10(IP-10), leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF), lipopolysaccharide-induced chemokine(LIX), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein(MIP)-$1{\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-2, Regulated on Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted(RANTES) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) were measured. Result : AG significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of TNF-${\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\alpha}$, G-CSF, RANTES, IL-10, and M-CSF from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 50 and 100 ug/mL. AG significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-2, GM-CSF, and IL-6 from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 50 ug/mL. AG significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of VEGF from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 100 ug/mL. But AG did not show any significant effect on the production of MCP-1, LIF, LIX, IP-10 and IL-$1{\beta}$ from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion : These results suggest that AG has anti-inflammatory effect related with its inhibition of proinflammatory mediators such as TNF-${\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\alpha}$, G-CSF, RANTES, IL-10, MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-2, GM-CSF, IL-6, VEGF and M-CSF in LPS-induced macrophages.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.254-259
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• 2004

Jeongshin-tang (JST) is a Korean herbal prescription, which has been successfully applied for the various neuronal diseases. However, it's effect remains unknown in experimental models. To investigate the biological effect of JST in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in vitro model, we analized the production of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in IL-1β plus β-amyloid [25-35] fragment (A)-stimulated human astrocytoma cell line U373MG. JST alone had no effect on the cell viability. The production of IL-6 and IL-8 was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with JST (1mg/㎖) on IL-1β plus A-stimulated U373MG cells. Maximal inhibition rate of IL-6 and IL-8 production by JST was about 41.22% (P<0.01) and 34.45% (P<0.05), respectively. The expression level of COX-2 protein was up-regulated by IL-1β plus A but the increased level of COX-2 was inhibited by pretreatment with JST (1 mg/㎖). These data indicate that JST has a regulatory effect on cytokine production and COX-2 expression, which might explain it's beneficial effect in the treatment of AD.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.49-57
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• 2011

Objective : Allergic asthma is a chronic airway disease that affects millions of people in the developed world. The disease is characterized by concurring airway inflammation, Th2 cytokine production, increased mucus secretion, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to inhaled antigen, and pulmonary fibrosis. To investigate the therapeutic and anti-asthmatic effects of Drynariae Rhizoma (DR), we examined the influence of DR on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Methods : In this study, BALB/c mice were systemically sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) followed intratracheally, intraperitoneally, and by aerosol allergen challenges. We investigated the effect of DR on airway hyperresponsiveness, pulmonary eosinophilic infiltration, various immune cell phenotypes, Th2 cytokine production and OVA specific IgE production in a mouse model of asthma. Results : In asthmatic mice, we found that DR.treated groups had suppressed eosinophil infiltration, allergic airway inflammation and AHR by suppressing the production of IL-5, IL-13 and OVA specific IgE. Conclusions : Our data suggest that the therapeutic mechanism by which DR effectively treats asthma is based on reductions of Th2 cytokines (IL-5), eotaxin, OVA-specific IgE production and eosinophil infiltration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.494-500
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• 2012

In order to determine the functional benefits of $Cordyceps$ $militaris$ in the immune system, we examined the immunomodulatory activities of $Cordyceps$ $militaris$ in an immunocompromised C57BL/6 mice model. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with an immunosuppressive drug, cyclophosphamide, and then administered orally with 3% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose or 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg of 50% ethanol extract of $Cordyceps$ $militaris$ (CM 30, CM 100, and CM 300, respectively) for 12 days. Mice treated with CM displayed significantly increased splenocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity compared to immunosuppressed control mice (p<0.05). The spleen cells isolated from mice treated with CM also displayed increased production of Th1 cytokines, including IL-2, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$, suggesting enhanced cellular immunity in response to CM. However, CM had no significant effect on the production of IL-4 and IL-10. These results indicate that $Cordyceps$ $militaris$ enhances immune function by promoting immune cell proliferation and Th1 cytokine production.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 1996

The TH cytokine responses of spleen cells stimulated with Con A from mice infected with Polasonimw westemcni were examined. The spleen cell culture supema- tants were assayed for TH1-specific $IFN-{\gamma}$ and TH2-specific IL-4. Cytokine responses for IL-4 peaked at three days ($410{\;}{\pm}{\;}60.9{\;}pg/ml$), persisted at a high level until the second week ($343{\;}{\pm}{\;}59.0{\;}pg/ml$), and then decreased slowly four and six weeks after infection. $IFN-{\gamma}$ production by splenocytes only increased during the first week ($151{\;}{\pm}{\;}32.3{\;}pg/ml$) and declined abruptly after the second week of infection. IFN- y production by splenocytes of infected mice was not observed during the sixth week of infection. In addition, serum IL-4 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ were measured. Serum IL-4 was not detected in substantial quantity until four to six weeks after infection. The time course of serum IL-4 was not correlated with that of IL-4 production by splenocytes. Serum $IFN-{\gamma}$ was undetectable during the entire course of infection. These results suggest that TH2 cytokine responses, rather than TH1, predominate in mice infected with P. westemcni.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2014

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been used as a traditional medicinal ingredient and the ginseng flower-buds also proved to have good medicinal properties. In this study, in order to enhance immune activities of ginseng flower-bud, the ginseng flower-bud extract was being fermented by Bacillus subtilis KCTC 1022 (BS), Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC3 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CHY1011 (SC). Mice were orally administered daily for two weeks at two different concentrations (100 and 200 mg/kg B.W.). Treatment samples were water extracts of ginseng flower-buds (FD), water extracts of fermented ginseng flower-buds (FM) and controls for saline solution. Cytokine production (IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) either stimulated with LPS or not stimulated with LPS was detected by the ELISA assay when using the cytokine kit. Cytokine was statistically increased at supplemented groups with LPS in both the 100 and the 200 mg/kg B.W. and treatment with FM significantly decreased the LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production more than the treatment with FD. The results of this study may suggest that supplementation with FM increases the immune function by regulating cytokine production capacity for activated macrophages.