• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2003

Gentiana scabra var. buergeri (G. scabra) is a herb known to have therapeutic effect in infection diseases. We studied cellular activation and antitoxoplasmosis in macrophages after G. scabra stimulation. Macrophage activation was detected by nitrite production. Macrophages were treated with G. scabra extracted with water or methanol. Maximal nitrite production was detected in macrophages after stimulation of G. scabra extract 0.1 mg/ml. Maximal nitrite concentration was 23.22 0.003 uM/L in macrophages after water extract of G. scabra and was 24.07 1.41 uM/L after methanol extract of G. scabra. Effect of G. scabra in the phagocytic capacity of macrophages was monitored by using PI (percentage of macrophage infected by T gondii) method. The minimum PI (42.5 2.31) was detected in macrophages treated by water extract of G. scabra 0.1 mg/ml before infection of T gondii. We also examined toxoplasmastatic capacity of macrophage using FI (fold increase) method. The minimum FI (4.46 1.16) was shown in macrophages after water extract of G. scabra 0.1 mg/ml pretreatment before infection. Under electron microscope, proliferation of T gondii was inhibited by extract of G. scabra treatment in macrophages and the mitochondrion and lysosomal vacuoles within cells were increased. Taken together, G. scabra extract activates macrophages and induces toxopalsmastatic activity after T gondii infection. It is suggested that G. scabra may be used as a therapeutic drug against toxoplasmosis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.182-188
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• 2000

High soy consumption leading to high exposures of soy isoflavones has been associated with a reduced risk of cancers at many sites. As part of a study focusing on the chemopreventive mechanisms, we have investigated the modulating effects of daidzein and genistein, a prominent and more bioavailable isoflavone in soy foods, on murine immune function. Daidzein (50 mg/kg) or genistein (50 mg/kg) was administered p.o. once a day for 7 days in BALB/c mice. Daidzein decreased the mitogen-stimulated proliferation of murine splenocyte, but genistein increased it. Daidzein stimulated the secretion of interleukin-4, but inhibited the secretion of ${\gamma}$-interferon, interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$. Genistein stimulated the secretion of ${\gamma}$-interferon, interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$, but inhibited the secretion of interleukin-4. Daidzein and geiustein inhibited the production of nitric oxide and enhanced the phagocytic activity in peritoneal macrophage. These results suggest that cancer preventive effects of daidzein is partly concerned with the secretion of $T_{H}$2 cells cytokine and the activation of macrophage phagocytosis, and genistein is partly concerned with the secretion of $T_{H}$l cells cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ and the activation of macrophage phagocytosis.sis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was designed to examine immuno-modulatory effects of Evodia Rutaecarpine by activating innate immune system and inhibiting inflammation. Methods: First, Cell cytotoxicity was examined with 4T1 breast carcinoma and TG-induced macrophage. To investigate activating innate immune system of Evodiamine Rutacarpine Extract (ERE) on macrophage, we tested tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were measured after treating with ERE to observe innate immune modulating effect of ERE on RAW 264.7 cell. Also, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) were examined by western blot analysis. Results: In cytotoxicity analysis, ERE significantly affected tumor cell growth above specific concentration. Also, ERE significantly affected macrophage growth above specific concetration. As compared with the control group, the production of TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-6 were increased in TG-induced macrophage. As compared with the control group, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly up-regulated in RAW 264.7 cell. The expression of TNF-α and NO induced by LPS after treating ERE was significantly decreased compared with control group. In addition, We observed ERE inhibited the phosphorylation levels of p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and p-p38 in western blotting by treating ERE on RAW 264.7 cell. Conclusions: ERE seems to have considerable impact on the anti-cancer effect by activation of innate immune system and inflammation control.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2024

Background: Cigarette smoke is generally accepted as a major contributor to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by emphysematous lesions. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) against cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)-induced emphysema. Methods: Mice were instilled with 50 mg/kg of CSC intranasally once a week for 4 weeks, KRG was administered to the mice once daily for 4 weeks at doses of 100 or 300 mg/kg, and dexamethasone (DEX, positive control) was administered to the mice once daily for 2 weeks at 3 mg/kg. Results: KRG markedly decreased the macrophage population in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and reduced emphysematous lesions in the lung tissues. KRG suppressed CSC-induced apoptosis as revealed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling staining and Caspase 3 immunohistochemistry. Additionally, KRG effectively inhibited CSC-mediated activation of Bcl-2-associated X protein/Caspase 3 signaling, followed by the induction of cell survival signaling, including vascular endothelial growth factor/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B in vivo and in vitro. The DEX group also showed similar improved results in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: Taken together, KRG effectively inhibits macrophage-mediated emphysema induced by CSC exposure, possibly via the suppression of pro-apoptotic signaling, which results in cell survival pathway activation. These findings suggest that KRG has therapeutic potential for the prevention of emphysema in COPD patients.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.210-215
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• 2015

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that can be triggered by infections. Due to the fact that MAS may mimic clinical features of underlying rheumatic disease, or be confused with an infectious complication, its detection can prove challenging. This is particularly true when there is an unknown/undiagnosed disease; and could turn into an even greater challenge if MAS and SLE are combined with a viral infection. A-14-year-old female came to the hospital with an ongoing fever for 2 weeks and a painful facial skin rash. Hepatomegaly, pancytopenia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, elevated serum ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase were reported. No hemophagocytic infiltration of bone marrow was reported. The patient was suspected for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Her skin rashes were eczema herpeticum, which is usually associated with immune compromised conditions. With the history of oral ulcers and malar rash, positive ANA and low C3, C4 and the evidence of hemolytic anemia, she was diagnosed as SLE. According to the diagnostic guideline for MAS in SLE, she was diagnosed MAS as well, activated by acute HSV infection. After administering steroids and antiviral agent, the fever and skin rash disappeared, and the abnormal laboratory findings normalized. Therefore, we are reporting a rare case of MAS triggered by acute HSV infection as the first manifestation of SLE.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the anti-tumor metastasis by anti-inflammatory and innate immunomodulating effects of extracts of Jipae-san on cancer cells. Methods: Antimetastatic experiments were conducted in vivo mouse model by using 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma cells. Cell viability of Jipae-san was tested with 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma cells, colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma cells and macrophage. In addition expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO induced by LPS was measured after treating with Jipae-san. To observe innate immunomodulating effects of Jipae-san on macrophage, we measured $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-12, IL-6 and MCP-1, respectively. Cell cytotoxicity was tested with the macrophage stimulated with Jipae-san and we evaluated the activation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO. And the effect of Jipae-san on metastasis was measured without NK-cell using GM1 serum. Results: Intravenous inoculation of Jipae-san significantly inhibited metastasis of 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma cells. In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, cell growth are closer to 100% less than $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. The expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO induced by LPS after treating Jipae-san was down regulated in dose-dependent manner. Level of cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-12, IL-6 and MCP-1 of Jipae-san group were up regulated in compared to the control group. The macrophage stimulated with Jipae-san significantly inhibits the cancer cell at ratio of 10:1, 20:1. The activation of NO was significantly up regualted in a group of 5:1, 10:1, 20:1. The depletion of NK-cells by anti-asialo GM1 serum partly abolished the inhibitory effect of Jipae-san on tumor metastasis. Conclusions: Jipae-san appears to have considerable activity on the anti-metastasis by inflammation control and activation of innate immune system.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.509-514
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• 1999

Forty seven amylolytic Bifidobacterium strains were isolated on starch-containing agar medium from the faecal samples of the various age groups of Korean. From these amyloytic Bifidobacterium spp., two strains of KFRI 1535, identified temporarily as Bifidobacterium longum, and KFRI 1550, identified as Bifidobacterium breve, showed great macrophage-stimulating activity for the production of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ and inteleukin-6. As the cell concentration increased the cytokine production increased, although in some strains the cytokine levels started to decline over cell concentration increased the cytokine production increased, although in some strains the cytokine levels started to decline over cell concentration of $250\mu\textrm{g}$/ml. the strains which showed high cytokine-stimulating activity generally showed greater production of nitric oxide even though differences were less between strains. Selected Bifidobacterium strains were compared for their fermentation capability in saccharified rice solution and in apple pomace mixture.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.139.2-139.2
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• 2003

The in vitro effects of extracted fractions of C. militaris on the secretion of cytokines in murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 were studied. F1 (crude cordycepin containing adenosine), F2 (ethanol precipitation), F3 (ethanol soluble supernatant) and F4 (fraction of through SK-1B) significantly stimulated the production of cytokine and nitric oxide (NO) on murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. We examined how the ethanol extract of C. militaris regulates production of interleukine 1-beta(IL-1$\beta$), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), and NO in vitro. (omitted)

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.7
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• pp.735-740
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• 2010

Renal fibrosis, characterized by tubulointerstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis, is the final manifestation of chronic kidney disease. Renal fibrosis is characterized by an excessive accumulation and deposition of extracellular matrix components. This pathologic result usually originates from both underlying complicated cellular activities such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, fibroblast activation, monocyte/macrophage infiltration, and cellular apoptosis and the activation of signaling molecules such as transforming growth factor beta and angiotensin II. However, because the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis is extremely complicated and our knowledge regarding this condition is still limited, further studies are needed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.11b
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• pp.184-184
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• 2002

In our previous study, we reported that PG, a polysaccharide isolated from Plyatycodon grandiflorum, activated macrophages and B cells, but not T cells. Here, we investigated in more detail the mechanism of action of PG in macrophage activation.(omitted)