• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.32 no.3 s.126
• /
• pp.181-188
• /
• 2001

During the screening for inhibitors of nitric oxide production in LPS-activated macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells, two coumarins were isolated from chloroform extract of the root of Polygonum cuspidatum. They were identified as decursin (1) and decursinol angelate (2) on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The $IC_{50}$ values of these compounds on NO production were $0.76\;{\mu}M$ (1) and $2.6\;{\mu}M$ (2), respectively. However, the iNOS activity was not inhibited by treatment with these compounds. Their inhibitory effect on NO production seems to result from the suppression of iNOS induction through the suppression of NF-kB activity.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.48-52
• /
• 2008

We here demonstrate an anti-inflammatory action of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Treatment with raloxifene at micromolar concentrations suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) by down-regulating expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene in LPS-activated cells. The decreased expression of iNOS and subsequent reduction of NO were due to inhibition of nuclear translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$. These effects were significantly inhibited by exposure to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitor, LY294002, or by expression of a dominant negative mutant of PI 3-kinase. In addition, pretreatment with raloxifene reduced LPS-induced Akt phosphorylation as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity and NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent reporter gene activity. Thus our findings indicate that raloxifene exerts its anti-inflammatory action in LPS-stimulated macrophages by blocking the PI 3-kinase-Akt-NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling cascade, and eventually reduces expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.7
• /
• pp.382-387
• /
• 2014

Corn silk (CS) has long been consumed as a traditional herb in Korea. Maysin is a major flavonoid of CS. The effects of maysin on macrophage activation were evaluated, using the murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Maysin was isolated from CS by methanol extraction, and preparative $C_{18}$ reverse phase column chromatography. Maysin was nontoxic up to $100{\mu}g/ml$, and dose-dependently increased TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion and iNOS production by 11.2- and 4.2-fold, respectively, compared to untreated control. The activation and subsequent nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ was substantially enhanced upon treatment with maysin ($1-100{\mu}g/ml$). Maysin also stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt and MAPKs (ERK, JNK). These results indicated that maysin activates macrophages to secrete TNF-${\alpha}$ and induce iNOS expression, via the activation of the Akt, NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs signaling pathways. These results suggest for the first time that maysin can be a new immunomodulator, enhancing the early innate immunity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2012

Objectives: Much evidence exists that herbs have effective immunomodulatory activities. Chrysanthemi Flos (CF) is effective in clearing heat, reducing inflammation, dropping blood pressure and treating headache and is used as a pharmaceutical raw material for an immune enhancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulatory effect of Chrysanthemi Flos pharmacopuncture on nitric-oxide (NO) production in activating macrophages. Methods: After a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, was cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), immune-modulating abilities of CF were evaluated by using NO, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) production and phagocytic activity of macrophages. Results: CF enhanced the activities of macrophages by increasing the phagocytic activity and decreasing NO production. Especially, both LPS and CF, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, treatment could significantly reduce the NO production, but did not change the production of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that CF may be of immunomodulatory value, especially for adverse diseases due to increased NO production. It may have potential for use as immunoenhancing pharmacopuncture.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.991-995
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of unripened fruits and ripened fruits of Rubus coreanus Miquel on murine peritoneal macrophages. The 70% ethyl alcohol extracts (20 or 100 mg/kg) of unripened fruits (RCE-I) and of ripened fruits (RCE-II) were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days to mice. RCE-I and RCE-II decreased the phagocytic activity of murine peritoneal macrophages and the production of nitric oxide. Also, RCE-I and RCE-II increased the production of tumor necrosis factor- a from peritoneal macrophages. In general, the immuno-suppressive action of RCE-I on macrophages was more potent than those of RCE-II. These results suggest that the fruits of Rubus coreanus Miquel regulates the non-specific immune response via decrease of phagocytic activity and increase of production of tumor necrosis factor- a from murine peritoneal macrophages.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.68-78
• /
• 2022

Objective: In this study, we investigated the protective effect of rhododendron mucronulatum extract (RME) on allergic reactions and inflammation. Methods: The effect of RME was determined using ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 mast cells and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. We determined cell viability, β-hexosaminidase release, and the synthesis of IL-4 and TNF-α in RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, we determined NO from RAW 264.7 and the gene expression of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Results: RME inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and synthesis of IL-4 and TNF-α in RBL-2H3 by the anti-DNP IgE plus DNP-HSA stimulation. In addition, RME inhibited the production of NO and the gene expression of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion: From these results, we concluded that RME possesses anti-allergic activity and anti-inflammatory activity due to the inhibition of mast cells and macrophage function.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.102-108
• /
• 2009

The comparative immunomodulatory effects of ${\beta}$-glucans isolated from mushroom fungi (Coriolus versicol), yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and bacteria (Agrobacterium) on the major functions of macrophages were evaluated. As parameters of macrophage functions, we examined tumoricidal activity, phagocytosis, nitric oxide (NO) production, and the induction of inducible NO synthetase (iNOS) in RAW264.7 cells, following treatments with ${\beta}$-glucans from the three different sources. The results indicated that all ${\beta}$-glucan treatments significantly induced tumoricidal activity in the RAW264.7 cells, with a remarkable effect shown by the beta-glucan from Agrobacterium at a concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$. There was also a significant increase in iNOS-NO system activity in macrophages treated with ${\beta}$-glucans extracted from yeast; however, iNOS-NO system activity was not markedly changed by the treatment of ${\beta}$-glucans from C. versicolor mushroom fungi or Agrobacterium. Furthermore, the ${\beta}$-glucans from C. versicolor had a significant phagocytotic effect at concentrations of 1, 10, and $100{\mu}g/mL$. Taken together, the present data suggest that these ${\beta}$-glucans, isolated from three different sources, have different effects on macrophage function, and therefore, may have different clinical uses in different for various types of diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.193-199
• /
• 2013

We investigated the antioxidative and antimicrobial activities of the methanol extracts from Korean folk plants (MKs) in Chungcheong Province. Among 30 MKs, 16 plants at $100{\mu}g/ml$ showed over 90% scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) and 30 plants exerted the hydroxyl radical scavenging effect over 55%. Fourteen plants at the concentration $50{\mu}g/30{\mu}l$ showed strong microbial inhibition activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with clear zone greater than 11 mm in disc assays. Furthermore, the protective effect against anti-inflammatory system using RAW 264.7 macrophage cell was also studied. The treatment of LPS & INF-${\gamma}$ to RAW 264.7 cell induced nitric oxide (NO), however inhibit the formation of NO less than 50% of 5 plants. The present result indicates that the 30 species of MKs exerts protective effect of oxidative stress, antimicrobial activities and anti-inflammatory. In particular, Rhus javanica and Cornus controversa showed stronger effect on not only radical scavenging activity and inhibits growth of S. aureus but also highest protective effects from inflammation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1994.04a
• /
• pp.242-242
• /
• 1994

Cortex mori (Morus alba L.), the root bark of mulberry tree, has been used as an antiphlogistic, diuretic, and expectorant in herbal medicine. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Cortex mori could inhibit the ovalbumin (OA) -induced late asthmatic reaction in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs were sensitized by two exposures to an aerosol of OA(1.0%) and then challenged with aerosolized antigen(2.0%), The animals were pretreated by three inhalations of the aerosoled Cortex mori either before antigen sensitization or cahllenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and peripheral blood were collected at 17 hours after OA challenge. The cell populations in BALF and peripheral blood were examined to determine the changes of the relative proportions of eosinophils,neutrophils and mononuclear cells etc. Beta-glucuronidase activity in BALF was measured to evaluate the alveolar macrophage activation. OA-induced histamine release from guinea pig peritoneal fluid cells was measured by radioisotope enzymatic asssay. Results were as follows. The number of eosinophils, neutriphils and lymphocytes recovered in BALF were significantly increased in the 17h following aerosol challenge with OA. Among them, eosinophil and neutriphils were decreased remarkably in group that had been preinhalated with Cortex mori. The number of lymphocytes in BALF were not decreased in group pretreated with CM before sensitization but decreased in Group pretreated with CM before challenge. After OA challenge, the number of eosinophils in peripheral blood were markedly increased, but Cortex mori inhibited significantly the OA-induced eosinophilia. Beta-glucuronidase activity in the supernatants of BALF were significantly increased in the 17h following aerosol challenge with OA, however, pretreatment of Cortex mori had no influence on Beta-glucuronidase activity, suggesting that Cortex mori had no inhibitory effect on OA-induced alveolar macrophage activation. Cortex mori inhibited the OA-induced histamine release from guinea pig peritoneal fluid cells. From the above results, it is suggested that Cortex mori contains some substances with an activity to inhibit the the OA-induced late phase reaction of the bronchial asthma in guinea pigs.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.46-55
• /
• 2005

Objectives: This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the immune modulating and anti-tumor activity of Ampelopsis Radix extracts (ARE). Materials and Methods: To elucidate the effects of ARE on the macrophage and NK cell activity, we analyzed NO production, NK cytotoxicity and gene expressions of cytokine related with macrophage and NK cell activity. Results: ARE activated and promoted macrophages to product NO in part. And, ARE has significant properties to activate macrophages and NK cells by promoting related cytokines like IL-1, IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$, iNOS and TNF-$\alpha$ gene expressions. We also observed that ARE promoted protein expression of IFN-$\gamma$, and TNF-$\alpha$ in mice splenocytes. Conclusions: ARE is an effective herbal drug for immune modulating and anti-cancer by promoting activity of macrophages and NK cells.