• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.452-463
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• 2020

Purpose: Aster tataricus (AT) is one of the Asteraceae perennial herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. The herb contains various bioactive substances, such as flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and phenolic compounds in the roots, and exhibits a range of effects including anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study compared the immunomodulatory effects of ethanol and water extracts of whole AT, except the roots, and analyzed the molecular mechanisms for the regulatory effects on cytokine secretion from THP-1 cells. Methods: The effects of AT extract on the cell viability and proliferation of THP-1 cells were analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 method. The concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cell culture supernatant of the AT-treated THP-1 cells were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in the cell lysates were determined by western blotting. Results: The water extract and the ethanol extract of AT did not affect the cell viability, and increased the proliferation of THP-1 cells significantly compared to the vehicle. The water extract increased the secretion of IL-1β from THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but the ethanol extract had no effect. The expression of COX-2 and iNOS protein and the phosphorylation of MAPK and Akt were induced in AT-treated cells. In addition, IκBα was degraded by AT in a concentration-dependent manner. IL-1β secretion by AT was reduced by extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors, while TNF-α secretion was decreased by inhibitors of ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Interestingly, the p38 MAPK inhibitor increased the production of IL-1β by AT further. Conclusion: The water extract of the above-ground parts of AT contains immunomodulatory bioactive substances that stimulate immune cells through the MAPK signaling pathway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1190-1197
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• 2017

Objective: Adipose tissue is no longer considered as an inert storage organ for lipid, but instead is thought to play an active role in regulating insulin effects via secretion adipokines. However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the effects of adipokines. In this study, we investigated the role of adipokines in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in obese Bama mini-pigs. Methods: An obesity model was established in Bama mini-pigs, by feeding with high-fat and high-sucrose diet for 30 weeks. Plasma glucose and blood biochemistry levels were measured, and intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed. Adipokines, including adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), resistin and tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and glucose-induced insulin secretion were also examined by radioimmunoassay. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in skeletal muscle, which is a useful insulin resistance marker, was examined by immunoblotting. Additionally, associations of AMPK phosphorylation with plasma adipokines and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were assessed by Pearce's correlation analysis. Results: Obese pigs showed hyperglycemia, high triglycerides, and insulin resistance. Adiponectin levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) and IL-6 amounts dramatically increased (p<0.05) in obese pigs both in serum and adipose tissue, corroborating data from obese mice and humans. However, circulating resistin and $TNF-{\alpha}$ showed no difference, while the values of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in adipose tissue were significantly higher in obese pigs, also in agreement with data from obese humans but not rodent models. Moreover, strong associations of skeletal muscle AMPK phosphorylation with plasma adiponectin and HOMA-IR index were obtained. Conclusion: AMPK impairment induced by adiponectin decrease mediates insulin resistance in high-fat and high-sucrose diet induction. In addition, Bama mini-pig has the possibility of a conformable model for human metabolic diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Citrus and its peels have been used in Asian folk medicine due to abundant flavonoids and usage of citrus peels, which are byproducts from juice and/or jam processing, may be a good strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of bioconversion of Jeju Hallabong tangor (Citrus kiyomi ${\times}$ ponkan; CKP) peels with cytolase (CKP-C) in RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Glycosides of CKP were converted into aglycosides with cytolase treatment. RAW 264.7 cells were pre-treated with 0, 100, or $200{\mu}g/ml$ of citrus peel extracts for 4 h, followed by stimulation with $1{\mu}g/ml$ lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 h. Cell viability, DPPH radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide (NO), and prostagladin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production were examined. Real time-PCR and western immunoblotting assay were performed for detection of mRNA and/or protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, respectively. RESULTS: HPLC analysis showed that treatment of CKP with cytolase resulted in decreased flavanone rutinoside forms (narirutin and hesperidin) and increased flavanone aglycoside forms (naringenin and hesperetin). DPPH scavenging activities were observed in a dose-dependent manner for all of the citrus peel extracts and CKP-C was more potent than intact CKP. All of the citrus peel extracts decreased NO production by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and $PGE_2$ production by COX-2. Higher dose of CKP and all CKP-C groups significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of LPS-stimulated iNOS. Only $200{\mu}g/ml$ of CKP-C markedly decreased mRNA and protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Both 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$ of CKP-C notably inhibited mRNA levels of $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) and IL-6, whereas $200{\mu}g/ml$ CKP-C significantly inhibited mRNA levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that bioconversion of citrus peels with cytolase may enrich aglycoside flavanones of citrus peels and provide more potent functional food materials for prevention of chronic diseases attributable to oxidation and inflammation by increasing radical scavenging activity and suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.9-21
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was investigating effects of Jengjengamiyijin-tang (zhengzhuanjiaweierchentang) (JGYT) on lowering lipid, antioxidation and production of inflammatory mediators being used rats fed on high oxidized fat. Methods We divided fat Sprague-Dawley rats fed on high oxidized into 4 groups. Each of 8 rats was divided into a control group and experimental groups. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline (100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And We fed each experimental group of rats basal diet and administered an extract of JGYT extracts (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidative activity and plasma tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), Apo-B, Apo-E and Leptin gene expression. Results 1. Concentration of plasma FFA, LDL-cholesterol, plasma and liver total cholesterol showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. However, concentration of plasma HDL-cholesterol showed a significant increment in JGYT groups. 2. Concentration of plasma and liver TG, TBARS showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. However, concentration of liver GSH-Px, SOD and CAT showed a significant increment in JGYT groups. 3. Plasma GPT activity and concentration of plasma IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NO, Ceruloplasmin, ${\alpha}1$-acid glycoprotein showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. 4. In the analysis of RT-PCR, gene expression of Apo-B and Apo-E in the JGYT groups showed a low expression than that of control group. However, the gene expression of leptin showed no difference in all the treatment groups. 5. The ratio of leptin expression per ${\beta}$-actin expression showed no significant difference among all treatment groups. However, The ratio of Apo-B and Apo-E expression per ${\beta}$-actin expression showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. Conclusions According to this study, extract of JGYT showed a positive effect in lowering lipid, antioxidation and control of inflammatory mediators production.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.158-165
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• 2012

Purpose: Recent interest has focused on intentional replantation to restore an original tooth. Some studies have shown successful results with intentional replantation for periodontally involved teeth. For long-term success of replantation, a healthy periodontal status of the recipient site is required so that delayed replantation is more suitable for periodontally involved teeth. To reveal the ideal timing for delayed replantation of periodontally involved teeth, the healing process of extraction sockets after extraction of periodontitis-induced teeth in rats was evaluated. Methods: Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (n=8) and test group (n=20). In the test group, periodontitis was induced by a ligature around the cervix of the mandibular first molar of all of the rats. Two weeks later, the mandibular first molars were extracted in all of the animals. The animals were sacrificed on days 0, 3, 7, and 10 after extraction and histological and immunohistochemical analysis was performed. Results: In histological analysis of the test group, inflammatory cell infiltrate was found abundantly in the remaining periodontium 3 days after tooth extraction and decreased gradually at later time points. In immunohistochemical analysis of the test group, both interleukin-6 (IL-6) and, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) were numerous in the furcation area at each postextraction day. IL-6 was stained more heavily between 3 and 7 days after extraction; at day 10 after extraction, little staining was observed. TNF-${\alpha}$ staining was more intense at 3 days after extraction and gradually weakened at later points in time. Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it takes at least 10 days to resolve periodontal inflammation in rat extraction sockets.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.101-111
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• 2010

Purpose: To provide the information of efficacy for herbal formulas of high frequency, it was evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect. In many studies, plantderived anti-inflammatory efficacies have been investigated for their potential inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. This study was performed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of herbal formulas of high frequency on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in 25 herbal formula extracts in vitro and in vivo. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro model, using LPS-stimulated macrophages, RAW 264.7 cell line. The productions of nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin(PG)$E_2$, interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-$\alpha$ were examined in RAW 264.7 cells, in the presence of the herbal formulas. RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with LPS $1\;{\mu}g/mL$ and herbal formulas for 18 hours. As an in vivo, using a rat model of carrageenin-induced paw edema. The paw volume was measured at 2 and 4 hours following carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats. Results: 8 kinds of herbal formula inhibited NO production by LPS-stimulated in some concentration, but the effect of NO inhibition is weak. 12 kinds of herbal formula inhibited $PGE_2$ production by LPS-stimulated over the 30%. Among them Gumiganghwal-tang, Sagunja-tang, Samchulkunbi-tang, Insampaedok-san and Hwangryunhaedok-tang inhibited IL-6 production by LPS-stimulated but TNF-$\alpha$ was not inhibited. 12 kinds of herbal formula reduced the carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats. Particularly, 3 kinds of herbal formula(Gumiganghwal-tang, Ssanghwa-tang and Soshiho-tang) were better than indomethacin. Conclusion: These results suggest that Gumiganghwal-tang, Sangunja-tang, Samchulkunbi-tang, Insampaedok-san and Hwangryunhaedok-tang have antiinflammatory activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 2012

Previously, we reported that Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and gastric cancer are closely associated with increased levels of hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) and that Korean red ginseng significantly reduced the severity of H. pylori-associated gastric diseases by attenuating $H_2S$ generation. Because the incubation of endothelial cells with $H_2S$ has been known to enhance their angiogenic activities, we hypothesized that the amelioration of $H_2S$-induced gastric inflammation or angiogenesis in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) might explain the preventive effect of Korean red ginseng on H. pylori-associated carcinogenesis. The expression of inflammatory mediators, angiogenic growth factors, and angiogenic activities in the absence or presence of Korean red ginseng extracts (KRGE) were evaluated in HUVECs stimulated with the $H_2S$ generator sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS). KRGE efficiently decreased the expression of cystathionine ${\beta}$-synthase and cystathionine ${\gamma}$-lyase, enzymes that are essential for $H_2S$ synthesis. Concomitantly, a significant decrease in the expression of inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and several angiogenic factors, including interleukin (IL)-8, hypoxia inducible factor-1a, vascular endothelial growth factor, IL-6, and matrix metalloproteinases, was observed; all of these factors are normally induced after NaHS. An in vitro angiogenesis assay demonstrated that NaHS significantly increased tube formation in endothelial cells, whereas KRGE pretreatment significantly attenuated tube formation. NaHS activated p38 and Akt, increasing the expression of angiogenic factors and the proliferation of HUVECs, whereas KRGE effectively abrogated this $H_2S$-activated angiogenesis and the increase in inflammatory mediators in vascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, KRGE was able to mitigate $H_2S$-induced angiogenesis, implying that antagonistic action against $H_2S$-induced angiogenesis may be the mechanism underlying the gastric cancer preventive effects of KRGE in H. pylori infection.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.27-38
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• 2009

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, principally characterized by synovial inflammation of the joints. We previously reported the effect of acupuncture for RA, but the mechanism is still unclear. Various factors such as oxidative stress and angiogenesis were involved in the pathogenesis of RA, and recently, it has also been reported that cytokines also play a major role in RA. Thus, we investigated whether acupuncture could induce any changes in the levels of cytokines including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) in the sera of RA patients. Methods: The forty three patients who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA recruited. The acupuncture group (n=21) underwent 14 sessions of partially individualized acupuncture treatment for 6 weeks, and the control group had no treatment (n=13) over the same periods. We evaluated ESR, CRP and RF. In addition, to find out the mechanism of acupuncture, we assessed the changes of the cytokine activities using protein cytokine array in the sera of the patients. Results: Acupuncture significantly decreased the levels of ESR and CRP, but RF were not changed after 6-week acupuncture treatments. Moreover, acupuncture reduced the levels of VEGF, angiogenin and EGF in the sera of the patients. Interestingly, they were related with angiogenesis, which is an important process in the pathogenesis of RA. The levels of oncostatin, interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, IL-8, leptin, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage-derived chemokine, macrophage inflammatory proteins-1, platelet-derived growth factor BB and RANTES were not changed significantly. Conclusions: The effect of acupuncture for reliving RA symptoms can be partially explained by inhibition of angiogenesis factors in the sera of the RA patients.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.375-383
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 50% ethanol extract of ripe black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis, RBR) on hypertension in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and activation of nitric oxide production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase were significantly regulated by RBR in HUVEC cells. Moreover, the SHR showed significantly higher levels of blood pressure, ACE, renin, endothelin-1, and interleukin-6 than Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). However, treatment with captopril and RBR decreased the levels of these hypertension-related events in the SHR. The renal arteriole showed greater media thickness/lumen diameter (%) in the SHR than in the WKY. However, media thickness/lumen diameter (%) was reduced in SHR by treatment with captopril and RBR. In addition, the number of eosinophilic cardiac muscle cells was decreased in the heart muscles after treatment with captopril and RBR. Therefore, this study suggests that 50% ethanol extract of RBR may be useful for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2019

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of Alismatis Rhizoma (AR) pharmacopuncture at BL23 on acute renal failure induced by cisplatin. Methods : The Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Normal group (no injection of cisplatin and no treatment), Control group (cisplatin injection without treatment), Acu group (needling at BL23 after cisplatin injection), AR-PA1 group (treated with $0.3571mg/kg/20{\mu}l$ of AR pharmacopuncture at BL23 after cisplatin injection), and AR-PA2 group (treated with $1.7855mg/kg/20{\mu}l$ of AR pharmacopuncture at BL23 after cisplatin injection). Each treatment was given once daily for 8 days. Changes in body weight, kidney weight, tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum blood urea nitrogen (serum BUN), and serum creatinine were observed. Results : Body weight was significantly increased in AR-PA1 on $4^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ days and AR-PA2 on $2^{nd}$ day. $TNF-{\alpha}$ was significantly decreased in Acu, AR-PA1 and AR-PA2 groups. Cu-Zn SOD was significantly increased in AR-PA2 group. GPx was significantly increased in AR-PA1 and AR-PA2 groups. But kidney weight, IL-6, serum BUN and serum creatinine were not significantly changed in any groups compared to control group. Conclusions : In acute renal failure induced by cisplatin, AR pharmacopuncture has a mitigating effect on the inflammatory reaction related to the increase of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the kidney tissue and a protective effect on the oxidative stress of the kidney tissue. However it is unlikely to restore the glomerular function or inhibit the renal swelling.