• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.12-29
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• 2006

Background and Aims : Even though various strategies for cancer treatment have advanced with the remarkable development of genomic information and technology, it is far from giving relief to cancer patients. Recently there is accumulating evidence that the immune system is closely connected to anti-tumor defense mechanisms in a multistage process. This includes tumorigenesis, invasion, growth and metastasis. Cordyceps Militaris, a well-known oriental herbal medicine, is a parasitic fungus that has been used as an immune enhancing agent for a long period of time. However, little is known about the cancer-related immunomodulatory effects and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Cordyceps Militaris extract (CME) on immune modulating and anti-tumor activity. Materials and Methods : To elucidate the effects of CME on macrophage and natural killer (NK) cell activity, we analyzed nitric oxide (NO) production, NK cytotoxicity and gene expression of cytokines related with macrophages and NK cell activity. Results and Conclusions : CME activated and promoted macrophage production of NO. It also enhanced gene expression of IL-1 and iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells. CME promoted cytotoxicity of NK cells against YAC-1 cells and enhanced NK cell related gene expression such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-12, iNOS, IFN-${\gamma}$ and　TNF-${\alpha}$ in mice splenocytes. It also Promoted protein expression of IL-10, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ in mice splenocytes and inhibited lung tumor metastasis induced by CT-26 cell line compared with the control group. From these results, it could be concluded that CME is an effective herbal drug for modulating the immune system and anti-cancer treatment by promoting macrophage and NK cell activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.1099-1106
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of crude polysaccharide separated from Cudrania tricuspidata leaf. C. tricuspidata polysaccharide (CTP) was extracted by ethanol precipitation. Immunomodulation activity was tested in macrophage cells (RAW 264.7 and bone-marrow derived macrophage) and splenocytes. CTP treatment significantly increased cell proliferation up to $250{\mu}g/mL$ in both RAW 264.7 and bone-marrow derived macrophages. In this concentration range (below $250{\mu}g/mL$), nitric oxide and cytokine [tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6] production also significantly increased. Similarly, splenocyte proliferation dosedependently increased except for the $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ treated group. Regarding cytokine production activity in splenocytes, CTP treatment significantly increased production of Th 1 type cytokines [interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$] production but not Th 2 type cytokines (IL-4). Therefore, the results indicate that CTP may have a potential effect on immunomodulatory activity in various immune cells, and this is useful for development of immune enhancing adjuvant materials as a natural ingredient.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.755-761
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• 2012

In this study, we examined immuno-modulatory activities of crude polysaccharides from wild ginseng adventitious roots (WGAR). The crude polysaccharide (WGAR-CP) was isolated from WGAR by hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and dialysis. The major constituents in WGAR-CP were neutral sugar (64.77%), and uronic acid (34.32%). WGAR-CP demonstrated anti-complementary activity dose-dependently. The immuno-modulatory effects of WGAR-CP were also analyzed by measuring nitric oxide and cytokines in the supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages. Mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with WGAR-CP produced nitric oxide and various cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, WGAR-CP may have immuno-modulatory activities by activating a complementary system and macrophages, which produces cytokines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.148-153
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• 1997

The immunomodulating effects of polysaccharide extracted from Ganoderma lucidum(PSG) on macrophage were evaluated using murine macrophage cell line ATCC TIB 71 cells or peritoneal exudate cells of BALB/c mice. The cell were incubated with various content of PSG for 24 hours at 0.5% $CO_2$ incubator under varying experimental conditions. PSG stimulated the non-specific activites of macrophage such as mitotic activity and expression of surface interleukin-2 receptors by dose-dependent pattern with statistic significance(p<0.001): however, PSG had little immunoregulatory effects on cytokines derived from peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice. There were no significant changes in the se-cretion of interleukin-6, interleukin-6, or tumor necrosis factors(Tn) of PSG treated cells compared to the control group. But PSG increased secretion of cytokines(IL-1 and TNF) when the cells were primed and trigged with BCG and IFN-${\gamma}$.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.114-120
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• 2014

Zizyphus jujube leaf fractions (ZLFs) showed no cytotoxic effects of up to $100{\mu}g/mL$, while the anti-inflammatory effects of ZLFs were analyzed by checking the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophage up to the concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. ZLFs ($100{\mu}g/mL$) demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory activity that reduced 61~85% of NO and 71~100% of $PGE_2$ production in the LPS-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophage. Even the low ZLFs concentration of $1{\mu}g/mL$ have reduced NO and $PGE_2$ production by 34~64%. Expressions of COX-2 protein were also effectively inhibited by the ZLFs. Furthermore, the TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 production were significantly suppressed through the treatment of ZLFs at concentrations of 1, 10, and $100{\mu}g/mL$. In the order of the Zizyphus jujube leaf water fraction (ZLWF) < buthanol fraction (ZLBF) < ethyl acetate fraction (ZLEF) showed anti-inflammatory activity. In particular, the ethyl acetate fraction ZLEF at $100{\mu}g/mL$ showed an excellent anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the production of NO, $PGE_2$, COX-2, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) in the level of Raw264.7 macrophage without LPS-stimulation or even better. The results of our study suggest the potential of ZLEF for use as an excellent ant-inflammatory inhibiting mediator and may be used as a therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2021

Euglena gracilis is a microalga of great biotechnological interest that can create high levels of bioactive compounds, such as tocopherol, paramylon, and folic acid. The objective of this study was to investigate the biological activities of extracts from E. gracilis, especially those focused on immunological activity. E. gracilis biomass was extracted with hot water (HWE) and the remaining pellet was continuously extracted with methanol (HWME). First, we examined the effect of two extracts from E. gracilis on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. HWE treatment dose-dependently increased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α. On the other hand, treatment with HWME significantly decreased the generation of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells. In addition, other biological activities of the extracts were further analyzed: α-glucosidase inhibition, protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Analysis of these biological activities showed that HWE has more inhibitory effects than HWME against α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and XO agents. However, the inhibition of PTP1B and ACE with HWME were higher than with HWE. Taken together, the results suggested that E. gracilis possesses various biological activities―especially immunological capabilities―through regulation of cytokine production. Therefore, E. gracilis extract may be potentially useful for food material with immune-regulating effects.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.101-107
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• 1997

Phellinus linteus was artificially cultivated in kangwon province in Korea. The air-dried phellinus linteus was frozen in liquid nitrogen tank and powdered in jar. 10g of the powder was extracted with each 200g of ethanol, methanol, distilled water and 1,3-butylene glycol/distilled water 4 hours under refluxing and then the liquidextract was concentrated under reduced pressure. As a result of analysis by high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromarography, many kinds of sugar and flavonoids were detected. Also we knew that phellinus linteus' extract had a strong UV-ray absorption. In the efficacy test for applying to cosmetics, free radical scavenging effect was confirmed. As a result, 2% of sample was the most potent inhibitory effect and the free radical savenging activity, was 0.31%. This is more effective than any other meterial. In the test of antioxidative activity against lipid autoxidation, phellinus linteus' extract had a good effect by 46% while vitamine E was 42.3%. The immunological activity of phellinus linteus was showed through the activation of macrophage cell. Actually, phellinus linteus activated macrophage function of 1.1-1.8 times including nitrite production compared to control. The whitening effect of phellinus linteus was showed through the inhibition of tyrosinase activity, melanin biosynthesis of S. bikiniensis and B-16 melanoma cells. Phellinus linteus' extract was showed strong mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 0.5% and inhibited melanin biosynthesis with 28mm inhibition zone at 0.005%/paper disc in S. bikinniensis, a bacterium used as an indicator organism in this work. Also it inhibited melanin biosynthesis in B-16 melanoma cells with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.134%.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2001

The present study was to obtain a basic research data about medicinal herbs by screening in vitro antimicrobial activity and the production of superoxide anion($O_2^-$) from the head kidney phagocytes of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The following fourteen kinds of medicinal herbs extracted by boiling water were used : Gosam, Gwijeonu, Gujeolcho, Bagha, Bangpung, Yeongyo, Yagssug, Jiyu, Sambaegcho, Samjiguyeobcho, Sangbaegpi, Sohwehyang, Pyeonchug, Palgag. Antimicrobial activity against fish pathogenic bacteria, Listonella anguillarum, Vibrio sp., Vibrio alginolyticus, Edwardsiella tarda, Streptococcus sp. and Lactococcus garvieae, and the production of superoxide in kidney macrophage of olive flounder were examined by disk method and nitroblue tetrazolium(NBT) reaction, respectively. Among the tested herbs, Yagssug showed the highest antimicrobial activity against those fish pathogenic bacteria and stimulation of $O_2^-$ production.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.11-32
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Dendrobii herba extract and Punica granatum extract on skin disease and skin beauty. Methods : To investigate in vitro anti-oxidant activity assay, ethanol extracts of medicinal plants tested by DPPH radical, xanthine oxidase activity. In the next experiment, to investigate anti-inflammatory activity assay, examined by relations in NO synthesis, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$, COX-2, MAP kinase. To study Skin wrinkle formation effect, we were examined by tyrosinase activities, melanin synthesis in MNT-1 cell. Results : 1. In an anti-oxidant test, Dendrobii and Punica granatum extract showed high radical scavenging activity. 2. In an anti-inflammatory test, Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract weakly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced nitric oxide(NO) release from RAW 246.7 macrophage cells. Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract also inhibited LPS-induced IL-$1{\beta}$ and COX-2 expressions. The inhibitory effect of Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract on macrophage activation were via the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$, evidenced by transient transfection assay. however, Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract did not have any effects about activation of Jun-N-terminal kinase(JNK) and inhibition of p38 MAP kinase in RAW 264.7 cells. 3. In the skin wrinkle formation assay, Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract weakly inhibited collagenase and elastase, however it was not statistically significant. 4. In the skin whitening assay, Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract weakly inhibited tyrosinase activity, however, it was not statistically significant. They did not have any effect on melanin synthesis, indicating that they could not be applicable for skin whitening. Conclusion : Dendrobii herba extract and Punica granatum extract may play a significant role in skin disease and skin beauty.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.162-168
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• 2017

Cordyceps bassiana has long been used as an oriental medicine and reported to possess diverse biological activities. The fruiting bodies of Cordyceps bassiana was extracted with ethanol and then further fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. The butanol fraction from Cordyceps bassiana (CBBF) exhibited the most effective in anti-inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages and the roles of CBBF on the anti-inflammation cascade in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were studied. To investigate the mechanism by which CBBF inhibits NO, iNOS and COX-2, the activation of $I{\kappa}B$ and MAPKs in LPS-activated macrophage were examined. Our present results demonstrated that CBBF inhibits NO production and iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and these effects were mediated through the inhibition of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, JNK and p38 phosphorylation. Also, CBBF suppressed activation of MAPKs including p38 and SAPK/JNK. Furthermore, CBBF significantly suppressed LPS-induced intracellular ROS generation. Its inhibition on iNOS expression, together with its antioxidant activity, may support its anti-inflammatory activity. Thus Cordyceps bassiana can be used as a useful medicinal food or drug for further studies.