• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.487-493
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• 2017

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is known for its role in perception of nociceptive signals and the associated emotional responses. Recent optogenetic studies, involving modulation of neuronal activity in the ACC, show that the ACC can modulate mechanical hyperalgesia. In the present study, we used optogenetic techniques to selectively modulate excitatory pyramidal neurons and inhibitory interneurons in the ACC in a model of chronic inflammatory pain to assess their motivational effect in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test. Selective inhibition of pyramidal neurons induced preference during the CPP test, while activation of parvalbumin (PV)-specific neurons did not. Moreover, chemogenetic inhibition of the excitatory pyramidal neurons alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia, consistent with our previous result. Our results provide evidence for the analgesic effect of inhibition of ACC excitatory pyramidal neurons and a prospective treatment for chronic pain.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Objectives Hwanggeumjakyak-tang (HJT) has traditionally been used to treat gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases; however, its protective effects against neuronal inflammation are still undiscovered. Methods We investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of HJT water extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 mouse microglia cells. BV2 cells were treated with LPS (1 ㎍/mL) 1 hour prior to the addition of HJT. We measured cell viability using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and nitrite production using the Griess assay. We performed a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay to measure messenger RNA expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Western blot analysis was performed to determine protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)α. Results HJT inhibited excessive nitrite release in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells and also significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Moreover, HJT significantly suppressed LPS-induced MAPK and NF-κB activation and inhibited the elevation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the brain of LPS-injected mice. Conclusions Our study highlights the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of HJT via MAPK and NF-κB deactivation.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권9호
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• pp.520-525
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• 2016

We investigated the effects of two antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) isolated from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans on neutrophil activity. Stimulation of mouse neutrophils with the two AMPs elicited chemotactic migration of the cells in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. The two AMPs also stimulated activation of ERK and Akt, which contribute to chemotactic migration of neutrophils. We found that AMP-stimulated neutrophil chemotaxis was blocked by a formyl peptide receptor (FPR) 1 antagonist (cyclosporin H); moreover the two AMPs stimulated the chemotactic migration of FPR1-expressing RBL-2H3 cells but not of vector-expressing RBL-2H3 cells. We also found that the two AMPs stimulate neutrophil migration in vivo, and that this effect is blocked in FPR1-deficient mice. Taken together, our results suggest that the two AMPs stimulate neutrophils, leading to chemotactic migration through FPR1, and the two AMPs will be useful for the study of FPR1 signaling and neutrophil activation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.191-198
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• 2018

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Neuroinflammation plays critical role in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the effect of three licorice varieties, Glycyrhiza uralensis, G. glabra, and Shinwongam (SW) on a mouse model of inflammation-induced memory and cognitive deficit. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and orally administrated G. uralensis, G. glabra, and SW extract (150 mg/kg/day). SW, a new species of licorice in Korea, was combined with G. uralensis and G. glabra. Behavioral tests, including the T-maze, novel object recognition and Morris water maze, were carried out to assess learning and memory. In addition, the expressions of inflammation-related proteins in brain tissue were measured by western blotting. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in spatial and objective recognition memory in LPS-induced cognitive impairment group, as measured by the T-maze and novel object recognition test; however, the administration of licorice ameliorated these deficits. In addition, licorice-treated groups exhibited improved learning and memory ability in the Morris water maze. Furthermore, LPS-injected mice had up-regulated pro-inflammatory proteins, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6, via activation of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF{\kappa}B$) pathways in the brain. However, these were attenuated by following administration of the three licorice varieties. Interestingly, the SW-administered group showed greater inhibition of iNOS and TLR4 when compared with the other licorice varieties. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain of LPS-induced cognitively impaired mice that were administered licorice, with the greatest effect following SW treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The three licorice varieties ameliorated the inflammation-induced cognitive dysfunction by down-regulating inflammatory proteins and up-regulating BDNF. These results suggest that licorice, in particular SW, could be potential therapeutic agents against cognitive impairment.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권11호
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• pp.1258-1266
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• 2019

양격산화탕은 9가지의 약재로 구성된 처방으로 한의학적 뇌졸중 치료에 가장 널리 사용되는 처방 중 하나이며, 주로 사상체질이론의 소양인 뇌졸중 치료에 적용된다. 본 연구는 실험동물을 이용한 뇌졸중에 대한 양격산화탕의 효과에 대한 연구가 전무하여, photothrombosis로 유발된 허혈성 마우스모델을 이용하여 양격산화탕의 효과를 살펴 보았다. 동물행동학적 변화와 더불어 뇌손상에 미치는 영향을 뇌경색 용적에 대한 조직학적 검색 및 신경염증과 신생세포에 대한 면역조직화학적 검색으로 살펴 보았다. 동물행동학적 결과로 보아, 양격산화탕은 뇌허혈에 의해 손상된 운동기능, 즉 wire grip과 rotarod test에 의한 운동조정과 균형 능력 등에 대한 기능적 회복을 보였으며, 이는 조직학적 검색으로 관찰된 뇌경색 용적의 축소를 동반하였다. 면역조직화학적 결과를 보면, 양격산화탕은 tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$와 myeloperoxidase 면역반응세포의 수를 현저히 감소시켰다. 이와 반대로 양격산화탕은 glial fibrillary acidic protein와 ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 면역반응세포의 수를 현저히 증가시켰다. 또한 양격산화탕은 Ki67/doublecortin 면역반응세포의 수를 현저히 증가시켰다. 이상의 결과로 보아, 양격산화탕은 항염증, astrocyte와 microglia의 활성화 및 신경세포의 증식을 통해 뇌경색 용적을 감소시키며, 이는 뇌허혈성 운동장애에 대한 완화 효과로 이어 지는 것을 알 수 있다. 따라서 양격산화탕은 뇌손상에 대한 신경기능적 완화효과를 보여 줌으로서 뇌졸중 환자에 대한 유효한 치료제로 사료된다.

• 농약과학회지
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.10-15
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• 1998

Carbofuran 및 N-dimethoxyphosphinothioyl carbofuran (PSC)의 AChE에 대한 이분자 저해 속도상수(bimolecular inhibition rate constant, $k_{i}$)를 관찰하였다. Carbofuran은 $7.7{\times}10^{5}\;M^{-1}{\cdot}min^{-1}$으로 높은 저해효과를 보이고 있는 반면, PSC는 $1.2{\times}10^{3}\;M^{-1}{\cdot}min^{-1}$으로 carbofuran에 비하여 AChE에 대한 저해력이 600배 정도 낮은 저해력을 갖고 있는 것으로 관찰되어 독성발현을 위하여 활성화 과정이 필요한 것으로 확인되었다. AChE/mixed function oxidase(mfo) coupling system을 이용한 microsomal oxidative activation 실험에서 PSC의 AChE에 대한 저해력이 control에 비하여 NADPH가 첨가된 oxidase 처리구에서 800배 더 강하게 나타났으며, cytochrome $P_{450}$의 저해제를 첨가한 oxidase+PBO 처리구에서는 control의 저해 경향과 유사하였다. 또한 생쥐 뇌 AChE에 대한 PSC의 $I_{50}$은 28 mg/kg인 반면 PBO를 전처리하였을 경우 $I_{50}$은 57 mg/kg으로 나타나 cytochrome $P_{450}$ 저해제로 인하여 PSC의 저해력이 2배정도 감소된 것을 관찰할 수 있었고, PSC는 독성발현을 위하여 활성화 과정을 거쳐야 하며, 이 과정에서 cytochrome $P_{450}$ 이 작용함을 확인할 수 있었다. PSC와 MCPBA를 반응시켜 산화 과정을 통하여 생성된 독성대사물을 분석한 결과 반응산물의 약 55%가 carbofuran임을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구를 통하여 PSC의 활성화 과정을 통한 독성발현에 cytochrome $P_{450}$이 중요한 역할을 하는 효소임을 확인할 수 있었고, PSC의 산화적 활성화 과정을 통한 주된 독성대사물이 carbofuran임을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.704-716
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is a characterized component in red ginseng widely used in Korea and China. GRh2 exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, its effects on Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection have not been clarified yet. Methods: The effect of GRh2 against T. gondii was assessed under in vitro and in vivo experiments. The BV2 cells were infected with tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain, and the effects of GRh2 were evaluated by MTT assay, morphological observations, immunofluorescence staining, a trypan blue exclusion assay, reverse transcription PCR, and Western blot analyses. The in vivo experiment was conducted with BALB/c mice inoculated with lethal amounts of tachyzoites with or without GRh2 treatment. Results and conclusion: The GRh2 treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of T. gondii under in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, GRh2 blocked the activation of microglia and specifically decreased the release of inflammatory mediators in response to T. gondii infection through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. In mice, GRh2 conferred modest protection from a lethal dose of T. gondii. After the treatment, the proliferation of tachyzoites in the peritoneal cavity of infected mice markedly decreased. Moreover, GRh2 also significantly decreased the T. gondii burden in mouse brain tissues. These findings indicate that GRh2 exhibits an antieT. gondii effect and inhibits the microglial activation through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, providing the basic pharmacological basis for the development of new drugs to treat toxoplasmic encephalitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.178-186
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• 1990

The analgesic effect of morphine was antagonized and the development of tolerance was suppressed by the modification of the neurologic function in the animals treated with ginseng saponins The activation of the spinal descending inhibitory systems as well as the supraspinal structures by the administration of morphine was inhibited in the animals treated with ginseng saponine intracerebrally or intrathecally. The development of morphine tolerance and dependence, and the abrupt expression of naloxone inducted abstinence syndrom were also inhibited by ginsenoside Rb1, Rb2, Rg1 and Re. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rbl, Hbs, Rgl and Re are the bioactive components of panax ginseng on the inhibition of the development of morphine tolerance and dependence, and the inhibition of abrupt abstinence sindrome. In addition, further research on the minor components of Pnnnxkinsenl should be investigated. A single or daily treatment with ginseng saponins did not induce any appreciable changes in the brain in level of monoamines at the variolls time intervals and at the various day intervals, respectively. The inhibitory or facilitated effects of ginseng saponins on electrically evoked contractions in guinea pig ileum ($\mu$-receptor) and mouse vats deferens ($\delta$-receptor) were not mediated through opioid receptors. The antagonism of a $\chi$ receptor agonist, U-50, 488H was also not mediated through opioid receptors in the animals treated with ginseng saponins, but mediated through serotonergic mechanisms. Ginseng saponins inhibited morphine 6-dehydrogenase which catalyzed the production of morphinone from morphine, and increased hepatic glutathione contents for the detoxication of morphinone. This result suggests that the dual action of the above plays an important role in the inhibition of the development of morphine tolerance and dependence.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제60권6호
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• pp.181-188
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• 2017

Purpose: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Erythropoietin (EPO) is emerging as a therapeutic candidate for neuroprotection. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the neuroprotective role of recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) and the possible mechanisms by which mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), JNK, and p38 MAPK is modulated in cultured cortical neuronal cells and astrocytes. Methods: Primary neuronal cells and astrocytes were prepared from cortices of ICR mouse embryos and divided into the normoxic, hypoxia (H), and hypoxia-pretreated with EPO (H+EPO) groups. The phosphorylation of MAPK pathway was quantified using western blot, and the apoptosis was assessed by caspase-3 measurement and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Results: All MAPK pathway signals were activated by hypoxia in the neuronal cells and astrocytes (P<0.05). In the neuronal cells, phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2 and apoptosis were significantly decreased in the H+EPO group at 15 hours after hypoxia (P<0.05). In the astrocytes, phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2, p38 MAPK, and apoptosis was reduced in the H+EPO group at 15 hours after hypoxia (P<0.05). Conclusion: Pretreatment with rHuEPO exerts neuroprotective effects against hypoxic injury reducing apoptosis by caspase-dependent mechanisms. Pathologic, persistent ERK activation after hypoxic injury may be attenuateed by pretreatment with EPO supporting that EPO may regulate apoptosis by affecting ERK pathways.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.237-245
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• 2018

Toxoplasma gondii can infect all the vertebrates including human, and leads to serious toxoplasmosis and considerable veterinary problems. T. gondii heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is associated with the activation of antigen presenting cells by inducing initial immune responses and releasing inflammatory cytokines. It might be a potential DNA vaccine candidate for this parasite. A pVAX-HSP60 DNA vaccine was constructed and immune responses was evaluated in Kunming mice in this study. Our data indicated that the innate and adaptive immune responses was elicited by successive immunizations with pVAX-HSP60 DNA, showing apparent increases of CD3e+CD4+ and CD3e+CD8a+ T cells in spleen tissues of the HSP60 DNA-immunized mice ($24.70{\pm}1.23%$ and $10.90{\pm}0.89%$, P<0.05) and higher levels of specific antibodies in sera. Furthermore, the survival period of the immunized mice ($10.53{\pm}4.78day$) were significantly prolonged during the acute T. gondii infection. Decrease of brain cysts was significant in the experimental group during the chronic infection (P<0.01). Taken together, TgHSP60 DNA can be as a vaccine candidate to prevent the acute and chronic T. gondii infections.