• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 1994

Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory actions of the water extract from Cimicifuga heracleifolia were evaluated in mice and rats. Several criteria were employed to assess the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory actions of Cimicifuga heracleifolia, such as hyaluronidase activity, mediators-induced vascular permeability changes, 48 hour homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) histamine release from mast cells, and the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. To further characterize the active components, the water extract was either extracted with organic solvent or fractionated according to molecular weight, and each fraction was tested for some of anti-allergic parameters. Hyaluronidase activities, both in activating and in activated states, were significantly inhibited by the water extract of Cimicifuga heracleifolia and by some of its subfractions, molecular weight less than 1,000. The water extracts (50~400 mg/kg) significantly inhibited 48 hr homologous PCA and vascular permeability changes induced by chemical mediators (histamine, serotonin, and leukotriene $C_4$) in mice. In the case of histamine-induced vascular permeability changes, more extensive studies were conducted; water extract was either fractionated according to molecular weight or extracted with butanol. Anti-histamine actions were observed only from the water layer, and these active components were of the molecular weight less than 1,000. These anti-allergic actions were observed mainly from mice than from rats. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory actions of the water extract from Cimicifuga heracleifolia were significant in rats.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2015

Objective : This study investigated the inflammatory reaction is characterized by over production of inflammatory mediators due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways.Methods : We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts fromLonicera japonicaandScutellaria baicalensisin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated U937 cells. Each extract suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-1${\beta}$, TNF-${\beta}$, and PGE₂) and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS- stimulated U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Results : These suggest that the suppression effects were synergistically increased by their combination. Their combination extract also inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA complex of NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity and translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytosol to nucleus.Conclusions : Our study suggest that the combination of water-extractable components ofL. japonicaandS. baicalensismay be useful for therapeutic drugs against inflammatory immune diseases, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.401-410
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• 2021

The study tests resilience and work ethics as mediators between charismatic leadership and affective commitment to change. Many organizations, such as banking, insurance companies, and financial institutions, face strong competition and consequently need to effect considerable change within the organization. Many variables have a significant impact on the success of organizational change, and people (resilience and work ethics) as well as change leaders are primary variables in this research. This study, using structural equation modeling, was conducted on a sample of 355 employees from banking and insurance companies. In this study, the inventory of affective commitment to change, the Conger-Kanungo charismatic leadership scale, resilience, and work ethic inventory was used. The results showed that resilience is a partial mediator between charismatic leadership and affective commitment to change. Meanwhile, work ethic was not a mediator between the two variables. The results showed that charismatic leadership can have a direct, positive, and significant impact on affective commitment to change without mediators, and that resilience can act as partial mediator. Furthermore, work ethic had a significant and positive effect on affective commitment to change through resilience. In other words, resilience is a full mediator for the impact of work ethic on affective commitment to change.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.536-543
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• 2023

Phytoceramide (Pcer) is found mainly in plants and yeast. It can be neuroprotective and immunostimulatory on various cell types. In this study, the therapeutic effect of Pcer was explored using the carrageenan/kaolin (C/K)-induced arthritis rat model and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Pcer treatment (1, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day) were given to the arthritic rats for 6 days after disease induction. Weight distribution ration (WDR), knee thickness, squeaking score, serum levels of proinflammatory mediators, and histological analysis were measured and performed to evaluate arthritic symptoms in the rat model. In interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated FLS, proinflammatory mediators were measured after Pcer (1-30 µM) treatment. Arthritic symptoms in rats with Pcer treatment were significantly decreased at days 4 to 6 after C/K arthritis induction. Inflammation in the knee joints were also significantly decreased in rats with Pcer treatment. Furthermore, in IL-1β-stimulated FLS, the expressions of proinflammatory mediators were also inhibited by Pcer. As shown by the results, Pcer has anti-arthritic effects in the C/K rat model and in synovial cells, suggesting that Pcer has the potential to be a useful agent in arthritis treatment.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.47-47
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• 2023

Paeonia lactiflora roots (PLR) are a medicinal plant widely used for treating inflammatory diseases. However, PLR has been recently reported to increase the production of proinflammatory mediators and activates phagocytosis in macrophages. Thus, in this study, we tried to verify the macrophage activation of PLR and elucidate its mechanism of action. PLR upregulated the production of proinflammatory mediators and activated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. However, these effects were reversed by inhibition of TLR2/4. In addition, the inhibition of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 reduced the PLR-mediated production of proinflammatory mediators, and the PLR-mediated activation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 was blocked by the TLR4 inhibition. These findings indicate that PLR may activate macrophages through TLR4-dependent activation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2. These indicate that PLR has immunostimulatory activity. Thus, it is believed that PLR can be used as a functional food agent that enhances the immune system.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.89-89
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• 2022

Paeonia lactiflora (P. lactiflora) is a medicinal plant widely used for treating inflammatory diseases. However, P. lactiflora has been recently reported to increase the production of proinflammatory mediators and activates phagocytosis in macrophages. Thus, in this study, we tried to verify the macrophage activation of Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRR, also known as red peony root) and elucidate its mechanism of action. PRR upregulated the production of proinflammatory mediators and activated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. However, these effects were reversed by inhibition of TLR2/4. In addition, the inhibition of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 reduced the PRR-mediated production of proinflammatory mediators, and the SPL-mediated activation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 was blocked by the TLR4 inhibition. These findings indicate that PRR may activate macrophages through TLR4-dependent activation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2. These indicate that PRR has immunostimulatory activity. Thus, it is believed that PRR can be used as a functional food agent that enhances the immune system.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.686-694
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• 2008

The inhibitory effects of 5,6,3',5'-tetramethoxy 7,4'-hydroxyflavone (labeled as p7F) were elucidated on the productions of proinflammatory cytokines as well as inflammatory mediators in human synovial fibroblasts and macrophage cells. p7F inhibited IL-1${\beta}$ or TNF-${\alpha}$ induced expressions of inflammatory mediators (ICAM-1, COX-2, and iNOS). p7F also inhibited LPS-induced productions of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ in RAW 264.7 cells. In order to investigate whether p7F would inhibit IL-1 signaling, p7F was added to the D10S Th2 cell line (which is responsive to only IL-1${\beta}$ and thus proliferates), revealing that p7F inhibited IL-1${\beta}$-induced proliferation of D10S Th2 cells in a dose-response manner. A flow cytometric analysis revealed that p7F reduced the intracellular level of free radical oxygen species in RAW 264.7 cells treated with hydrogen peroxide. p7F inhibited IkB degradation and NF-${\kappa}$B activation in macrophage cells treated with LPS, supporting that p7F could inhibit signaling mediated via toll-like receptor. Taken together, p7F has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced productions of inflammatory mediators on human synovial fibroblasts and macrophage cells and thus has the potential to be an anti-inflammatory agent for inhibiting inflammatory responses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.43-50
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• 2005

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2001

Stabilized Cross-linking Enzyme Crystals(CLEC) can be used as not only biocatalysts but also as enzyme sensors. PMS(Phenylmethyl Sulfate)was shown more efficience than any other electron mediator transfers toward HLADH(Horse Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase)that were examined. NQS(naphtoquinonesulphonate), phenothiazine and ferrocene aldehyde had respectively just 52%, 37%, 35% electron transfer efficiency as compared to PMS . HLADH-CLEC was very stable toward elctron transfer mediators such as PMS, NQS and ferrocene aldehyde in which HLADH-solution was unstable.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.93-97
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• 2012

Complex regional pain syndrome type 1(CRPS 1) is a neuropathic pain disorder that accompanies severe pain and motor deficit as well as changes in the skin in the extremities. The pathophysiology of CRPS 1 is still not exactly elucidated. However, the general consensus of involvement of inflammatory mediators in the development of CRPS 1 is amply made. On the basis that placental extract successfully inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators in several experimental models, we have tried a long-term weekly injection of placental extract into acupuncture points to a CRPS 1 patient suffering pain and immobilization of shoulder joint. The results say that placental extract effectively resolved pain, restored skin color and improved immobilization of shoulder joint in the CRPS 1 patient.