• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Curcumin is naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in turmeric and has many pharmacological activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-allergic inflammatory activity of curcumin, and to investigate its inhibitory mechanisms in immunoglobulin E (IgE)/Ag-induced mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and in a mouse model of IgE/Ag-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA). Curcumin inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) dependent prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) dependent leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) generation dose-dependently in BMMCs. To probe the mechanism involved, we assessed the effects of curcumin on the phosphorylation of Syk and its downstream signal molecules. Curcumin inhibited intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx via phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$ ($PLC{\gamma}1$) activation and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) pathway. Furthermore, the oral administration of curcumin significantly attenuated IgE/Ag-induced PSA, as determined by serum $LTC_4$, $PGD_2$, and histamine levels. Taken together, this study shows that curcumin offers a basis for drug development for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.893-899
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• 2021

BLT2 is a low-affinity receptor for leukotriene B₄, a potent lipid mediator of inflammation generated from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether BLT2 plays any role in sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection. A murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis was used to evaluate the role of BLT2 in septic inflammation. In the present study, we observed that the levels of ligands for BLT2 (LTB₄ [leukotriene B₄] and 12(S)-HETE [12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid]) were significantly increased in the peritoneal lavage fluid and serum from mice with CLP-induced sepsis. We also observed that the levels of BLT2 as well as 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 12-LO, which are synthesizing enzymes for LTB₄ and 12(S)-HETE, were significantly increased in lung and liver tissues in the CLP mouse model. Blockade of BLT2 markedly suppressed the production of sepsis-associated cytokines (IL-6 [interleukin-6], TNF-α [tumor necrosis factor alpha], and IL-1β [interleukin-β] as well as IL-17 [interleukin-17]) and alleviated lung inflammation in the CLP group. Taken together, our results suggest that BLT2 cascade contributes to lung inflammation in CLP-induced sepsis by mediating the production of inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that BLT2 may be a potential therapeutic target for sepsis patients.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.29-48
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• 2021

Objectives: Banchong-san (BCS) is a herbal formula composed of 13 korean medicinal herbs and is traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases and pain. The object of this study was to research the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antimicrobial effects of the BCS in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: In this experiment, effects of BCS on the following four were measured as follows: (1) Anti-oxidative effects were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) Radical scavenging activity, 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) Radical scavenging activity. (2) Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by the production amount of Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Nitric oxide (NO), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)(the previous two are "mRNA"), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (the previous five are "Protein") in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. (3)Antipruritic effects were evaluated by the production amount of histamine, Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), LeukotrieneC4 (LTC4) Levels in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)/ionomycin-stimulated MC/9 mast cell. (4) Anti-microbial effects were evaluated by the growth suppression of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger. Results: The following results were obtained through each measurement: (1) DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity, ABTS Radical Scavenging Activity evoked a significant concentration-dependent increase. (2) ROS, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE₂ production amount, iNOS, COX-2 mRNA expression were significantly reduced in the BCS extraction group compared with the control group and significantly decreased the amount of ERK, JNK, p38, NF-κB Protein expression. The amount of IκB-α Protein Expression have increased significantly. (3) The amounts of histamine, LTB4, LTC4 were significantly decreased. (4) The antibacterial efficacy, BCS inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa at concentrations of 5 ㎍/ml, but did not suppress the growth of staphylococcus aureus and aspergillus niger. Conclusions: The experimental results show that BCS has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antimicrobial properties.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2019

Background: Brennan's rodent paw incision model has been extensively used for understanding mechanisms underlying postoperative pain in humans. However, alterations of physiological parameters like blood pressure and heart rate, or even feeding and drinking patterns after the incision have not been documented as yet. Moreover, though eicosanoids like prostaglandins and leukotrienes contribute to inflammation, tissue levels of these inflammatory mediators have never been studied. This work further investigates the antinociceptive effect of protein C after intra-wound administration. Methods: Separate groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were used for quantitation of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity and leukotriene B4 level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as well as estimation of cardiovascular parameters and feeding and drinking behavior after paw incision. In the next part, rats were subjected to incision and $10{\mu}g$ of protein C was locally administered by a micropipette. Both evoked and non-evoked pain parameters were then estimated. Results: COX, particularly COX-2 activity and leukotriene B4 levels increased after incision. Hemodynamic parameters were normal. Feeding and drinking were affected on days 1 and 3, and on day 1, respectively. Protein C attenuated non-evoked pain behavior alone up to day 2. Conclusions: Based upon current observations, Brennan's rodent paw incision model appears to exhibit a prolonged period of nociception similar to that after surgery, with minimal interference of physiological parameters. Protein C, which is likely converted to activated protein C in the wound, attenuated the guarding score, which probably represents pain at rest after surgery in humans.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.421-427
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• 2015

Imperatorin has been known to exert many biological functions including anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of imperatorin on the production of inflammatory mediators in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC). Imperatorin inhibited degranulation and the generation of eicosanoids (leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) and prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) in IgE/antigen (Ag)-stimulated BMMC. To elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in this process, we investigated the effect of imperatorin on intracellular signaling in BMMC. Biochemical analyses of the IgE/Ag-mediated signaling pathway demonstrated that imperatorin dramatically attenuated degranulation and the production of 5-lipoxygenase-dependent $LTC_4$ and cyclooxygenase-2-dependent $PGD_2$ through the inhibition of intracellular calcium influx/phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$, cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$/mitogen-activated protein kinases and/or nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ pathways in BMMC. These results suggest that the effects of imperatorin on inhibition of degranulation and eicosanoid generation through the suppression of multiple steps of IgE/Ag-mediated signaling pathways would be beneficial for the prevention of allergic inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1126-1133
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• 2022

This study investigated the contribution of lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), tetra-O-methyl nordihydroguaiaretic acid (M₄N) and zileuton (ZIL), and thromboxane A2 (TXA₂) inhibitor 4,5-diphenylimidazole (DPI) in the proliferation of Brucella abortus infection. None of the compounds affected the uptake of Brucella into the macrophages. We determined the effect of neutralizing leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor and showed that the uptake of the bacteria was inhibited at 30 min post-infection. M₄N treatment attenuated intracellular survival of Brucella at 2 h post-incubation but it was not observed in the succeeding time points. DPI treatment showed reduced survival of Brucella at 24 h post-incubation while blocking LTB4 receptor was observed to have a lower intracellular growth at 48 h post-incubation suggesting different action of the inhibitors in the course of the survival of Brucella within the cells. Reduced proliferation of the bacteria in the spleens of mice was observed in animals treated with ZIL or DPI. Increased serum cytokine level of TNF-α and MCP-1 was observed in mice treated with M₄N or ZIL while a lower IFN-γ level in ZIL-treated mice and a higher IL-12 serum level in DPI-treated mice were observed at 7 d post-infection. At 14 d post-infection, ZIL-treated mice displayed reduced serum level of IL-12 and IL-10. Overall, inhibition of 5-LOX or TXA₂ or a combination therapy promises a potential alternative therapy against B. abortus infection. Furthermore, strong ligands for LTB4 receptor could also be a good candidate for the control of Brucella infection.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.606-615
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate anti-thrombogenic, anti-inflammatory effects of n-BuOH (B) and $CH_2Cl_2$ (MC) fractions extracted from Sancho (Zanthoxylum. schinifolium) leaves in rats fed high fat diets. The experimental animal groups were consisted of eight including one 5% fat (N) and one 20% fat (H) without the test materials in diets and six H groups of feeding three levels (50, 100 and 150 mg/day) of the B and the MC fractions from Z. schinifolium, respectively. Plasma activated partial thromboplastin times and thrombin times of H group were decreased compared to the N group, but they were increased by feeding the MC fraction of 50 mg and over. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte 5#-lipo-xygenase activities and leukotriene $B_4$ contents of the H group were significantly increased compared to the N group, but they were decreased in the 100 mg and 150 mg of B fraction or the 150 mg of MC fraction fed groups. Liver cytochrome $P_{450}$, $O_2^-$, $H_2O_2$ and GSSG contents were increased by the high fat diet but decreased by feeding the B fraction or the MC fraction, while GSH content and glutathione S-transferase activity lowered by high fat diet were increased by feeding the two solvent fractions. The effects of the solvent fractions were evident at the level of 100 mg/day and over. The present results confirmed that two solvent fractions from the leaves of Z, schinifolium have enhancing effects on anti-thrombosis and anti-inflammation partly by antioxidant action and partly by direct modulation of the respective processeds. In conclusion, the n-BuOH and $CH_2Cl_2$ fractions from leaves of Z, schinifolium can be utilized as the proper ingredients of functional foods for preventing chronic degenerative disease.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.451-469
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of calcium hydroxide and glass ionomer cement fillings on the levels of $LTB_4$ and $LTC_4$ in experimentally inflamed rat dental pulp. The dental pulp in the mandibular incisor of wistar rat was irritated by cutting a 5mm deep hole in the dentin with a twist drill bur of 0.5mm diameter, without cooling. The cavities were filled with calcium hydroxide(light-cured) and glass ionomer cement(light cured). The untreated pulp served as control tissue specimen. After cavity preparations, the rat with or without various treatment were sacrificed in various time by decapitation. The dental pulp tissue were carefully removed and the concentrations of $LTB_4$ and $LTC_4$ were determined by radioimmunoassay. And pulps were examined histologically to observe inflammatory feature. The result were obtained as follows : 1. The inflammatory features of pulps were observed microscopically in all experimental groups. And degree of inflammation was decreased with time. 2. The concentrations of $LTB_4$ and $LTC_4$ for all experimental groups were significantly higher than those for control group 6 hours after cavity preparation(p<0.05). 3. The group filled with calcium hydroxide was the lowest, and the group filled with glass ionomer cement, the group of irritation in that order showed increased concentrations of $LTB_4$ and $LTC_4$ 6 hours after cavity preparation. In the concentrations of $LTB_4$, significant differences among 3 groups were noted(p<0.05). 4. The group filled with calcium hydroxide was the lowest, and the group filled with glass ionomer cement, the group of irritation in that order showed increased concentrations of $LTB_4$ and $LTC_4$ 24 hours after cavity preparation. And there were statistically significant difference in concentrations of $LTB_4$ between the group of irritation and the group filled with calcium hydroxide(p<0.05). 5. The group filled with calcium hydroxide was the lowest, and the group filled with glass ionomer cement, the group of irritation in that order showed increased concentrations of $LTB_4$ and $LTC_4$ 48 hours after cavity preparation. But no statistically difference was found (p>0.05). 6. The concentrations of $LTB_4$ and $LTC_4$ in all experimental groups were highest level at 6 hour after experiment and decreased as time progresses(correlation coefficient>0.8).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.697-703
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• 1997

This study was planned to compare the effects of source of dietary n-3 fatty acids, i.e., tuna oil and perilla oil, on mitogenesis and production of prostaglandin E$_2$ and leukotriene B$_4$ in rats. Weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 3 different experimental diets for 4 weeks(Control: beef tallow 50% + sesame oil 50%, FO : beef tallow 50% + sesame oil 25% + tuna oil(27% docosahexaenoic acid) 25%, PO : beef tallow 50% + sesame oil 25% + perilla oil 25%). Food intakes were higher in FO group than in other groups, but body weight gains, food efficiency rates and weights of spleen were not different among groups. Proliferation of splenocyte to PWM(pokeweedmitogen) was higher in FO and PO group than control group. But there was no difference between FO and PO group. Response to ConA was not different among three groups. Serum PGE$_2$ levels were higher in control group than other groups. Serum LKB$_4$ levels were not different among groups. Therefore, it seemed that n-3 fatty acids increased the immune response by means of decreasing the PGE$_2$ production.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.24 no.4 s.47
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• pp.871-883
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• 1994

This experiment was designed to study possible roles of $interleukin-1\beta$, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha$ in bone remodeling by measuring their effects on $PGE_2,\; LTB_4$ and collagenase production when they were administered to human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts were collected from first premolars extracted for orthodontic treatment. They were incubated in the environment of $37^{\circ}C,\;5\%\;Co^2,\;and\;100\%$ humidity. They were treated with $0.25\%$ trypsin-EDTA solution and centrifuged. PDL cells in the fifth to seventh passage were used for the experiment. Cells were seeded onto the culture dishes and when they were successfully attached, human recombinant $interleukin-1\beta$, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha$ were administered, alone or in combination. They were incubated for 4, 8 and 24 hours and the levels of $PGE_2,\;LTB_4$ and collagenase released into the culture media were assessed by enzymeimmunoassay and collagenase activity assay. The conclusions are as follows: 1. $IL-1\beta\;and\;TNF-\alpha$ were very active in stimulating the production of $PGE_2$ and collagenase by human periodontal ligament fibroblasts, while IL-6 increased $LTB_4$ production. 2. $IL-1\beta$ significantly increased $PGE_2$, but $LTB_4$ Production was not increased. $IL-1\beta$ is thought to act mainly via the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. 3. IL-6 tended to inhibit $IL-1\beta$ in the production of $PGE_2$ and collagense whereas IL-6 and $TNF-\alpha$ showed auditive effect in the level of $PGE_2$. The above cytokines increased the release of at least one of $PGE_2,\;LTB_4$ and collagenase. It suggests that cytokines are involved in bone remodeling process by stimulating PDL fibroblasts to produce various bone-resorptive agents. The roles of cytokines in bone remodeling as a whole would need further study.