• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2015

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of $LR_3$ and $SP_6$ acupuncture on renal damage in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Methods : ICR male mice were stabilized for a week and divided into four groups: a normal mice group(N), no-acupuncture diabetic mice group(Control), $LR_3$ acupuncture diabetic mice group($LR_3$), and $SP_6$ acupuncture diabetic mice group($SP_6$). Diabetes was experimentally induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ(150 mg/kg) in citrate buffer(pH 4.5). For two weeks, $LR_3$ and $SP_6$ acupunctures were administered bilaterally at each point once a day. After two weeks, the animals' weight was measured and they underwent a laparotomy. Serum glucose and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) were measured from the blood taken from the heart. We measured glucose, reactive oxygen species(ROS), peroxynitrite($ONOO^-$) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) in the kidney and compared expression levels of superoxide dismutases(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GPx), nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-${\kappa}B$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and Interleukin-1 beta(IL-$1{\beta}$). Results : BUN significantly decreased in $LR_3$, $SP_6$ compared to the control group. $LR_3$ showed significantly decreased glucose compared to the control group. $LR_3$, $SP_6$ significantly decreased in ROS and $ONOO^-$ compared to the control group. $LR_3$ significantly decreased in TBARS compared to the control group. $SP_6$ significantly increased in expressions of SOD-1, catalase, and GPx compared to the control group. $LR_3$, $SP_6$ significantly decreased in COX-2 compared to the control group. $SP_6$ significantly decreased in IL-$1{\beta}$ compared to the control group. Conclusions : This study suggests that $LR_3$ acupuncture may be effective in controlling glucose and lipid peroxidation and that $SP_6$ acupuncture may have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on renal damage in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.7-11
• /
• 2016

The aerial part of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. (Cucurbitaceae), has long been used in traditional Korean and Chinese medicines for the treatment of heatstroke. We isolated and identified three flavones, luteolin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside(1), luteolin-4'-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside(2), luteolin(3) from its methanolic extract. In the present study, we found that luteolin attenuates the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation in BV2 microglial cells. Luteolin significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide(NO) and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ in BV2 microglia in a concentration-dependent manner without cytotoxic effect. Luteolin dose-dependently suppressed the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2). In addition, luteolin also showed significant induction of heme oxygenase(HO)-1. These results suggest that both the aerial part of T. kirilowii and luteolin may be good candidates to regulate LPS-induced inflammatory response.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.11
• /
• pp.1614-1625
• /
• 2020

A number of species of the genus Trichilia (Meliaceae) exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of Trichilia martiana C. DC. (TM) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation has not, to the best of our knowledge, yet been determined. Therefore, in the present study, the antiinflammatory effect of TM on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages was evaluated. The ethanol extract of TM (TMEE) significantly inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin 2 (PGE₂), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). TMEE also reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. The upregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and NF-κB activation was revealed to be downregulated following TMEE pretreatment. Furthermore, TMEE was indicated to lead to the nucleus translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In H292 airway epithelial cells, the pretreatment of TMEE significantly downregulated the production of LPS-stimulated IL-1β, and TMEE was indicated to increase the expression of HO-1. In animal models exhibiting LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI), treatment with TMEE reduced the levels of macrophages influx and TNF-α production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of ALI mice. Additionally, TMEE significantly downregulated the activation of ERK, JNK and IκB, and upregulated the expression of HO-1 in the lungs of ALI mice. In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that TMEE could exert a regulatory role in the prevention or treatment of the endotoxin-mediated inflammatory response.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.459-470
• /
• 2020

This study investigated the effects of the proteolytic hydrolysates of α-lactalbumin (LA), β-lactoglobulin (LG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by alcalase on inflammatory cytokines. The proteolytic hydrolysates were separated into two fraction of peptides, ≤ 10,000 Da and > 10,000 Da, respectively, because various low molecular weight peptides were generated during the hydrolysis reaction time. Among the hydrolysate peptides, BSA (all types), β-LG (> 10,000 Da), and α-LA (> 10,000 Da) showed an inhibitory activity against thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 murine macrophages. α-LA (> 10,000 Da), β-LG (hydrolysates), and BSA (> 10,000 Da) showed an inhibitory activity against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression. α-LA (all types), β-LG (hydrolysates, > 10,000 Da), and BSA (> 10,000 Da) showed an inhibitory activity against interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. α-LA (> 10,000 Da), β-LG (> 10,000 Da), and BSA (all types) showed an inhibitory activity against inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. α-LA (> 10,000 Da), β-LG (> 10,000 Da), and BSA (all types) showed an inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. The lowest level of TNF-α production was measured with α-LA (> 10,000 Da) and β-LG (> 10,000 Da) for all types, and a similar low level was measured for all types of BSA. The highest level of IL- 6 production was measured with α-LA (≤ 10,000 Da) among α-LA, β-LG, and IL-6. The low level of NO production was similar with α-LA, β-LG, and BSA but not with α-LA (≤ 10,000 Da). These potential peptides from whey protein hydrolysates could be used for food, medicinal, and industrial applications.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 2012

Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense has long been used in herbal medicine for the treatment of arthritis, dyspepsia, and bleeding in Korea. In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of C. japonicum var. ussuriense against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced activation in RAW264.7 cells by the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1. The 70% EtOH extract of the aerial parts of C. japonicum var. ussuriense (CJE), showed the potent anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of CJE was demonstrated by the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including pro-inflammatory enzymes (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2). Furthermore CJE induced HO-1 expression through nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increased HO activity in RAW264.7 macrophages. The effects of CJE on LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ productions were partially reversed by an HO-1 inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin (SnPP). Therefore, it is suggested that CJE-induced HO-1 expression plays a role of the resulting anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages. These results suggest that CJE may be a promising candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.448-458
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit is widely grown in Asia and consumed as fresh fruit, jam, and juices. The fruit has beneficial health effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, and anti-obesity properties. However, the mechanisms by which mulberry fruit juice powder (MJ) regulates inflammatory microRNAs (miRs) are not yet known. This study investigated the effect of mulberry fruit juice powder on the regulation of inflammation and miR-132/143 during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. Methods: The 3T3-L1 cells were induced to differentiate for 2 days and then treated with various concentrations of MJ for 7 days. Cytotoxicity was determined by evaluating cell viability using a water-soluble tetrazolium salt-8 assay kit. Intracellular lipid accumulation was evaluated by oil-red O staining. The levels of the expression of genes involved in adipogenesis and inflammation, and miR-132/143 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. Results: MJ showed no cytotoxic effect on 3T3-L1 adipocytes at concentrations below 100 ng/mL. Intracellular lipid accumulation was reduced by MJ treatment at concentrations of 100 ng/mL. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of proliferator-activated receptor-γ, cytosine-cytosine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine/enhancer-binding protein-α, and adipocyte protein 2, which are involved in adipogenesis, were suppressed by MJ. A reduction was also seen in mRNA levels of genes related to the inflammatory response, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The expression of the inflammatory miR-132 and miR-143 was also decreased by MJ. Conclusion: These results suggest that MJ may suppress adipogenesis and inflammation through the regulation of miR-132/143 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Thus, MJ may be useful as a food agent that prevents obesity-associated inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.443-452
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to examine the influence of 3,6-anhydroxygalactose (L-AHG) on the pro-inflammatory M1 polarization and pro-inflammatory responses observed in the RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cell line following stimulation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). L-AHG exhibited a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, a hallmark of M1 polarization, and subsequent NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, the LPS-induced upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which drives the production of prostaglandin E2, an inflammatory mediator, was also inhibited by L-AHG. L-AHG did not affect the LPS-triggered Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling pathway, which culminated in the activation of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1). However, it was observed to inhibit the generation of reactive oxugen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner, as well as the TAK1-driven activation of JNK and p38 MAPK. Given that the active p38 MAPK is known to contribute to the assembly of active nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, which catalyzes the intracellular generation of pro-inflammatory ROS in LPS-stimulated macrophages, the dose-dependent reduction in the LPS-induced ROS generation by L-AHG may be mainly due to the prevention of TAK1-driven activation of p38 MAPK. Together, these results demonstrate that the L-AHG-mediated inhibition of the TAK1-JNK/p38 MAPK activation phase of the pro-inflammatory signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by L-AHG represents a promising mechanism for suppressing M1 polarization and pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.8
• /
• pp.1090-1098
• /
• 2016

The anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract from Grateloupia crispata (GCEE) were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages. Anti-inflammatory effects were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. There was no cytotoxic effect on proliferation of macrophages treated with GCEE compared to the control. GCEE significantly inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$] as well as nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, GCEE suppressed expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ in a dose-dependent manner. GCEE significantly reduced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. In the in vivo test, evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of GCEE was performed using croton oil-induced ear edema in ICR mice. Oral administration of 10 mg/kg to 250 mg/kg of GCEE significantly reduced ear edema in a dose-dependent manner compared to croton oil-induced mice. Moreover, GCEE reduced ear thickness and the number of mast cells compared to croton oil-induced mice in the histological analysis. These data suggest that GCEE could be used as a potential source for anti-inflammatory agents.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.236-245
• /
• 2016

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of wheat germ oil (WGO) on RAW 264.7 cells. It was shown that WGO had no cytotoxicity against the treated cells or negative effect on their proliferation. WGO suppressed nitric oxide (NO) secretion considerably and had inhibitory effects on the production of LPS-induced NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β). In particular, the IL-6 and TNF-α inhibition activities were over 90% at 100 μg/ml concentration of the oil. WGO also inhibited the LPS-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and reduced the expression of phosphorylated ERK and JNK. Moreover, the croton-oil-induced edema in mouse ears was reduced by WGO, and no mortalities occurred in mice administered 5,000 mg/kg body weight of WGO over a 2-week observation period. In conclusion, these results provide evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of WGO that likely occurs via modulation of NF-κB and the JNK/ERK MAPK signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.565-573
• /
• 2022

Gingival inflammation is one of the main causes that can be related to various periodontal diseases. Human gingival fibroblast (HGF) is the major constituent in periodontal connective tissue and secretes various inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. This study is aimed at investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of Lotus Root extract (LRE) in Porphyromonas gingivalis derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS-PG)-stimulated HGF-1 cells. The concentration of NO and PGE₂, as well as their responsible enzymes, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was analyzed by Griess reaction, ELISA, and western blot analysis. LPS-PG sharply elevated the production and protein expression of inflammatory mediators, which were significantly attenuated by LRE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. LRE treatment also suppressed activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in LPS-PG-stimulated HGF-1 cells. In addition, one of phase II enzyme, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase (NQO)-1, and its transcription factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), were significantly induced by LRE treatment. Consequently, these results suggest that LRE ameliorates LPS-PG-induced inflammatory responses by attenuating TLR4/MyD88-mediated NF-κB, and activating NQO-1/Nrf2 antioxidant response element signaling pathways in HGF-1 cells.