• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.944-954
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• 2017

Objectives: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Jageum-jung extract on Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS-induced) ulcerative colitis in mice. Methods: Ulcerative colitis was induced by DSS in Balb/C male mice. Ten mice were assigned to each of four groups: Ctrl (control), UE (ulcerative colitis-induced), PT (treated with pentasaccharide after induction of ulcerative colitis), and JT (treated with Jageum-jung extract after induction of ulcerative colitis). The effects of Jageum-jung extract were measured by restoration of the length of the intestine, degree of mucosal damage as seen with histochemistry, and changes of p-IkB, iNOS, COX-2, and caspase-3 determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: The recovered intestinal length of the JT group was longer than that of the UE group. In the colon mucosa of JT group, hemorrhagic lesions were reduced, and the mucus barrier was recovered. This group also showed inhibited production of inflammatory enzymes (iNOS, COX-2) through regulation of proinflammatory enzyme (NF-kB, p65) activity in the colon. In addition, caspase 3 activation induced apoptosis. By GC/MS analysis, azetidine was identified. Conclusions: This study confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of jageum-jung extract, and suggests the possibility of using Jageum-jung extract to treat ulcerative colitis. Further experiments and research on the mechanism of Jageum-jung effects are needed.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2017

The effects of Korean solar salt on an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colon cancer C57BL/6 mouse model were studied. Korean solar salt samples (SS-S, solar salt from S salt field; SS-Yb, solar salt from Yb salt field), nine-time-baked bamboo salt (BS-9x, made from SS-Yb), purified salt (PS), and SS-G (solar salt from $Gu\acute{e}rande$, France) were orally administered at a concentration of 1% during AOM/DSS colon cancer induction, and compared for their protective effects during colon carcinogenesis in C57BL/6 mice. SS-S and SS-Yb suppressed colon length shortening and tumor counts in mouse colons. Histological evaluation by hematoxylin and eosin staining also revealed suppression of tumorigenesis by SS-S. Conversely, PS and SS-G did not show a similar suppressive efficacy as Korean solar salt. SS-S and SS-Yb promoted colon mRNA expression of an apoptosis-related factor and cell-cycle-related gene and suppressed pro-inflammatory factor. SS-Yb baked into BS-9x further promoted these anti-carcinogenic efficacies. Taken together, the results indicate that Korean solar salt, especially SS-S and SS-Yb, exhibited anti-cancer activity by modulating apoptosis- and inflammation-related gene expression during colon carcinogenesis in mice, and bamboo salt baked from SS-Yb showed enhanced anti-cancer functionality.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.338-346
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• 2016

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is associated with various human diseases, such as cancer, auto-immune disease, and intestinal inflammation. The limited and inadequate effect of standard approaches for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has prompted to develop alternative anti-colitis agents through inhibition of STAT3. Here, we show that gallic acid (GA), a 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, markedly reduced phosphorylation of STAT3. Among the derivatives of benzoic acids, GA showed significant inhibition on STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, GA ameliorated the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute colitis as determined by the measurement of symptomatic and histological indices. The suppression of DSS-induced acute colitis by GA treatment may be related to the regulation of cytokines and growth factors. Furthermore, GA inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3 in the colon tissue of DSS-treated mice. These findings may be useful in comprehending the molecular action of GA on STAT3 phosphorylation and provide novel insights into the potential application of GA in the treatment of STAT3-related inflammatory disease, such as IBD.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2014

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host. Duolac-Gold is a mixture of seven probiotic bacteria containing three species of Bifidobacteria, two species of Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus thermophilus. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of Duolac-Gold in an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mouse model. IBD was induced by administering 1.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 10 days. After induction of DSS-induced colitis, Duolac-Gold was orally administered at three different concentrations. Interestingly, Duolac-Gold treatment accelerated IBD healing, and anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by weight loss, length of the colon, and a microscopic damage score by histology. The expression of inflammatory related cytokines was measured in colon tissues and serum. Of these cytokines, the expression of interleukin-6 decreased remarkably after Duolac-Gold treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that Duolac-Gold treatment is effective in IBD healing by regulating IL-6.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Sophorae radix pharmacopuncture(SRP) therapy on the Chunchu($ST_{25}$) on intestinal disease in rats with dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis. Methods : The experimental model of colitis was induced by an infection of DSS for fifteen days. After colitis was induced, SRP therapy was practiced on the Chunchu($ST_{25}$) once every three days for a total of five times. Afterward, colon length, damage to the colonic mucosa, complete blood count, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine transferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 were measured. Results : The results were obtained as below. 1. Colon length was significantly increased in the SRP group 2 compared to the control group. 2. Damage of colonic mucosa was observed less in the SRP groups than in the other groups. 3. The mean rates of white blood cell(WBC), neutrophils and lymphocytes were significantly increased in SRP group 2 compared to the control group. 4. The mean rates of HGB and hematocrit(HCT) were significantly increased in the SRP compared to the control group. 5. No significant differences were shown in AST, ALT, BUN and Creatinine between the SRP groups and the control group. 6. The mean rate of TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly decreased in the SRP groups compared to the control group. 7. The mean of IL-6 was significantly decreased in the SRP groups compared to the control group. Conclusions : These results indicated that SRP therapy on Chunchu($ST_{25}$) functions as a treatment to the dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.391-398
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• 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a typical inflammatory colon disorder. Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) is known to exert various beneficial effects including anti-oxidative and anti-bacterial properties and improvements in liver function. However, the improving effect and mechanism of PG on intestinal inflammation are not fully understood. The present research was designed to investigate the effect of PG on the clinical signs of DSS-induced colitis in mice. The ameliorative effects of PG on inflammatory cytokine expression and the activation of hypoxia-inducible-factor (HIF)-1α in DSS-treated colon tissue were also determined. Our results showed that mice treated with DSS displayed the main clinical symptoms of colitis, including weight loss, bloody stools, decrease in colon length and diarrhea and PG treatment significantly improved the clinical features induced by DSS in mice. PG inhibited the increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines caused by DSS in colon tissues. We also showed that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PG involved suppressing the activation of HIF-1α in DSS-treated colon tissues. Collectively, the findings of this study indicate the prospect of developing new drugs from PG for UC treatment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.439-446
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Angelica gigas Nakai on ulcerative colitis. Mice were divided into 5 groups: Control group, DSS group, 5-ASA group, 50mg/kg Angelica gigas Nakai group, 100mg/kg Angelica gigas Nakai group. Four groups, excluding the control group, were fed a 5% solution of dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) in water for 7days to induce ulcerative colitis. Each water extract was administrated orally for 7 days in 5-ASA group, 50mg/kg Angelica gigas Nakai group and 100mg/kg Angelica gigas Nakai group. 5 groups were evaluated by weight, length of intestine, weight of spleen, disease activity index(DAI), amount of cytokine IL-6 production, thickness of bowel wall and degree of inflammatory cell infiltration and intestinal tissue damage. Comparing to DSS group, 100 mg/kg Angelica gigas Nakai group showed significant suppressive effect of weight loss until 4th day of experiment while 50 mg/kg Angelica gigas Nakai group showed no significant effect of suppression. Decrease of intestinal length, enlargement of spleen, intestinal tissue damage and thickening of bowel wall were significantly suppressed in both 50 mg/kg and 100mg/kg Angelica gigas Nakai group. Also disease activity and cytokine IL-6 production were inhibited significantly. Based on this result, Angelica gigas Nakai seemed to have anti-inflammatory effect and also seemed to suppress histological changes and aggravation of ulcerative colitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.351-374
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigates the mechanism of Hwanggeum-tang (HGT) and Gamchosasim-tang (GST) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: The mice (C57BL/6N) were treated with distilled water and 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to experimentally induce ulcerative colitis. The mice were divided into 7 groups of (6 mice: normal, negative control, positive control (with sulfasalazine), 4 experimental groups (with HGT and GST, respectively). RAW 264.7 cells were used for cell experiments. The experiment was conducted in two ways: in vitro and in vivo. Results: In the experimental group (HGT, GST) of in vitro experiments, NO production decreased, and significant changes in gene expression and protein activation were observed. The length of the colon recovered in the experimental groups (HGT, GST) of the in vivo experiment was longer than that of the negative control group, and the mucosal barrier was recovered. Sone significant changes in the amount of mRNA expression were partially observed, and significant changes in protein activation also were confirmed. Conclusions: HGT and GST are effective in treating IBD caused by DSS. In the same herbal preparation group, the higher the concentration, the better the experimental effect, and when the same concentration was tested, HGT was more effective than GST. Herbal medicine has a higher antioxidant effect than sulfasalazine, so it is also excellent for cell protection.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.56-65
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of laser acupuncture to the 830 nm on the five transport points with the spleen meridian for treatment to intestinal disease in rat with dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis. Methods : Colitis was induced by DSS for 20 days. The laser therapy on the five transport points of spleen meridian (Laser Well Point-SP1(L-WE), Laser Brook Point-SP2(L-BR), Laser Stream Point-SP3(L-ST), Laser River Point-SP5(L-RI) and Laser Sea Point-SP9(L-SE) was practiced twice a week for 5 times. Colon length was measured using a measuring point. Histological evaluation of colitis was conducted by hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) staining. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was determined using western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Colon length increased significantly L-BR and L-ST points after 5 times of therapy. Damage to the colonic mucosa is an integral feature of the DSS model, so control colonic mucosa tissue was damaged in the areas of ulceration resulting in complete epithelial loss. However histological damage decreased on the epithelial lining at all points. Cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 concentrations decreased in all points groups and Interferon(IFN)-${\gamma}$ increased in L-WE, L-BR, L-RI and L-SE points but L-ST was decreased when compared with control. White blood cell(WBC) and neutrophils(NE) decreased after the fifth acupuncture on the all points. But hemoglobin(HGB) increased after the fifth acupuncture on the L-WE, L-BR, L-ST and L-RI points. Also Mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH) and Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC) decreased after the fifth acupuncture on the all points. Conclusions: The present study indicated that five transport points of the spleen meridian can prevent the development of DSS-induced colitis in rat. Thereby suggesting that should be available for decreasing DSS-induced inflammation in a colonic mucosa of tissue.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.619-627
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Colitis is a serious health problem, and chronic obesity is associated with the progression of colitis. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of natural raw meal (NRM) on high-fat diet (HFD, 45%) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS, 2% w/v)-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Body weight, colon length, and colon weight-to-length ratio, were measured directly. Serum levels of obesity-related biomarkers, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin, leptin, and adiponectin were determined using commercial kits. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 were detected using a commercial ELISA kit. Histological study was performed using a hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining assay. Colonic mRNA expressions of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were determined by RT-PCR assay. RESULTS: Body weight and obesity-related biomarkers (TG, TC, LDL, HDL, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin) were regulated and obesity was prevented in NRM treated mice. NRM significantly suppressed colon shortening and reduced colon weight-to-length ratio in HFD+DSS induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice (P < 0.05). Histological observations suggested that NRM reduced edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of crypts induced by HFD and DSS. In addition, NRM decreased the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 and inhibited the mRNA expressions of these cytokines, and iNOS and COX-2 in colon mucosa (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that NRM has an anti-inflammatory effect against HFD and DSS-induced colitis in mice, and that these effects are due to the amelioration of HFD and/or DSS-induced inflammatory reactions.