• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.276-281
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• 2016

Corosolic acid (CA), a triterpenoid compound isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. (Banaba) leaves, exerts anti-inflammatory effects by regulating phosphorylation of interleukin receptor- associated kinase (IRAK)-2 via the NF-κB cascade. However, the protective effect of CA against endotoxic shock has not been reported. LPS (200 ng/mL, 30 min) induced phosphorylation of IRAK-1 and treatment with CA (10 μM) significantly attenuated this effect. In addition, CA also reduced protein levels of NLRP3 and ASC which are the main components of the inflammasome in BMDMs. LPS-induced inflammasome assembly through activation of IRAK-1 was down-regulated by CA challenge. Treatment with Bay11-7082, an inhibitor of IκB-α, had no effect on CA-mediated inhibition of IRAK-1 activation, indicating that CA-mediated attenuation of IRAK-1 phosphorylation was independent of NF-κB signaling. These results demonstrate that CA ameliorates acute inflammation in mouse BMDMs and CA may be useful as a pharmacological agent to prevent acute inflammation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 2020

Background: Continuous exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stress. This stress response alters the expression of multiple genes and can contribute to the onset of various diseases. In particular, heat stress induces oxidative stress by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. The liver is an essential organ that plays a variety of roles, such as detoxification and protein synthesis. Therefore, it is important to protect the liver from oxidative stress caused by heat stress. Korean ginseng has a variety of beneficial biological properties, and our previous studies showed that it provides an effective defense against heat stress. Methods: We investigated the ability of Korean Red Ginseng and Korean black ginseng extracts (JP5 and BG1) to protect against heat stress using a rat model. We then confirmed the active ingredients and mechanism of action using a cell-based model. Results: Heat stress significantly increased gene and protein expression of oxidative stress-related factors such as catalase and SOD2, but treatment with JP5 (Korean Red Ginseng extract) and BG1 (Korean black ginseng extract) abolished this response in both liver tissue and HepG2 cells. In addition, JP5 and BG1 inhibited the expression of inflammatory proteins such as p-NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor alpha-α. In particular, JP5 and BG1 decreased the expression of components of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key inflammatory signaling factor. Thus, JP5 and BG1 inhibited both oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusions: JP5 and BG1 protect against oxidative stress and inflammation induced by heat stress and help maintain liver function by preventing liver damage.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2022

A disrupted immune system during pregnancy is involved in pregnancy complications, such as spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, and recurrent pregnancy loss. This study examined the role of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD [c-terminal caspase recruitment domain]) in pregnancy complications using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced miscarriage mice model. Incidences of miscarriage and embryonic resorption were examined at 9.5 days of pregnancy in wild-type (WT), ASC knockout (KO), and TLR4 KO mice after injecting them with LPS. The fetuses and placenta were obtained after sacrifice at 15.5 days of pregnancy. A significantly lower frequency of fetus absorption was found in TLR4 KO mice, whereas corresponding absorption outcomes were strongly induced in the WT and ASC KO mice upon an LPS injection. As expected, TLR4 KO mice were resistant to LPS-induced abortion. A histological analysis of the miscarried placenta showed increasing levels of the eosin staining of spongiotrophoblast cells without any obvious difference between WT and ASC KO mice. These results suggest that TLR4 KO mice are resistant to LPS, which affects pregnancy persistence, whereas WT and ASC KO mice show high miscarriage rates due to LPS. Moreover, the ASC adaptor is not directly involved in LPS-induced miscarriages, and the NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by other proteins in the absence of ASC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.228-236
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• 2023

Background: QiShen YiQi pills (QSYQ) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula, which has a significant effect on the treatment of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in clinical practice. However, the molecular mechanism of QSYQ regulation pyroptosis after MI is still not fully known. Hence, this study was designed to reveal the mechanism of the active ingredient in QSYQ. Methods: Integrated approach of network pharmacology and molecular docking, were conducted to screen active components and corresponding common target genes of QSYQ in intervening pyroptosis after MI. Subsequently, STRING and Cytoscape were applied to construct a PPI network, and obtain candidate active compounds. Molecular docking was performed to verify the binding ability of candidate components to pyroptosis proteins and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced cardiomyocytes injuries were applied to explore the protective effect and mechanism of the candidate drug. Results: Two drug-likeness compounds were preliminarily selected, and the binding capacity between Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) and key target High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1)was validated in the form of hydrogen bonding. 2 μM Rh2 prevented OGD-induced H9c2 death and reduced IL-18 and IL-1β levels, possibly by decreasing the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, inhibiting the expression of p12-caspase1, and attenuating the level of pyroptosis executive protein GSDMD-N. Conclusions: We propose that Rh2 of QSYQ can protect myocardial cells partially by ameliorating pyroptosis, which seems to have a new insight regarding the therapeutic potential for MI.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.253-264
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• 2023

Objectives : Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen (BCL), a traditional herbal medicine, is a distilled product of condensation from the burning of fresh bamboo stems. We previously identified the anti-oxidant capacity of BCL in hepatocytes and suggested that BCL is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating oxidative stress-induced hepatocellular damage. Despite the importance of the role played by Kupffer cells in liver disease, the efficacy of BCL on Kupffer cells is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether BCL could suppress LPS-induced inflammation and LPS+ATP-induced inflammasomes in Kupffer cells. Methods : We used ImKCs, a murine immortalized Kupffer cell line to examined whether BCL inhibited LPS-induced inflammation response and oxidave stress. And, we prepared a total of 18 L of BCL, purchased from Bamboo Forest Foods Co., Ltd. (648 Samdari, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea), was concentrated using a decompression concentrator. Result : The LPS-induced release of inflammatory cytokines was abolished by BCL treatment. Also, BCL treatment suppressed the LPS+ATP-induced expression of inflammasome proteins (NLRP3, IL-1, and IL-18), and inhib β ited the release of IL-1 . BCL decreased LPS-or LPS+ATP-induc β ed reactive oxygen species production. In addition, BCL increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the expression of HO-1 in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest the efficacy of BCL with respect to its anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammasome effects mediated by Nrf2 in Kupffer cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.628-635
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• 2022

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the large intestine disease that results in chronic inflammation and ulcers in the colon. Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) is known for its pharmacological activities. Persicaria tinctoria (PT) is also used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the attenuating effects of Rg3-RGE with PT on oxazolone (OXA)-induced UC in mice. Methods: A total of six groups of mice including control group, OXA (as model group, 1.5%) group, sulfasalazine (75 mg/kg) group, Rg3-RGE (20 mg/kg) group, PT (300 mg/kg) group, and Rg3-RGE (10 mg/kg) with PT (150 mg/kg) group. Data on the colon length, body weight, disease activity index (DAI), histological changes, nitric oxide (NO) assay, Real-time PCR of inflammatory factors, ELISA of inflammatory factors, Western blot, and flow cytometry analysis were obtained. Results: Overall, the combination treatment of Rg3-RGE and PT significantly improved the colon length and body weight and decreased the DAI in mice compared with the treatment with OXA. Additionally, the histological injury was also reduced by the combination treatment. Moreover, the NO production level and inflammatory mediators and cytokines were significantly downregulated in the Rg3-RGE with the PT group compared with the model group. Also, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-𝛋B) were suppressed in the combination treatment group compared with the OXA group. Furthermore, the number of immune cell subtypes of CD4⁺ T-helper cells, CD19⁺ B-cells, and CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) was improved in the Rg3-RGE with the PT group compared with the OXA group. Conclusion: Overall, the mixture of Rg3-RGE and PT is an effective therapeutic treatment for UC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.833-842
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• 2020

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a commonly encountered large intestine disease in the contemporary world that terminates into colorectal cancer; therefore, the timely treatment of UC is of major concern. Panax ginseng Meyer is an extensively consumed herbal commodity in South East Asian countries, especially Korea. It exhibits a wide range of biologically beneficial qualities for almost head-to-toe ailments in the body. Epimedium koreanum Nakai (EKN) is also a widely used traditional Korean herbal medicine used for treating infertility, rheumatism, and cardiovascular diseases. Materials and methods: Separately the anti-inflammatory activities of both red ginseng extracts (RGEs) and EKNs had been demonstrated in the past in various inflammatory models; however, we sought to unravel the anti-inflammatory activities of the combination of these two extracts in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice model because the allopathic remedies for UC involve more side effects than benefits. Results: Our results have shown that the combination of RGE + EKN synergistically alleviated the macroscopic lesions in DSS-induced colitic mice such as colon shortening, hematochezia, and weight loss. Moreover, it restored the histopathological lesions in mice and decreased the levels of proinflammatory mediators and cytokines through the repression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP-3) expression. In vitro, this combination also reduced the magnitude of nitric acid (NO), proinflammatory mediators and cytokine through NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. Conclusion: In the light of these findings, we can endorse this combination extract as a functional food for the prophylactic as well as therapeutic treatment of UC in humans together with allopathic remedies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.267-272
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• 2017

Piceatannol (PIC) is a natural hydroxylated analog of resveratrol (RSV), which is a polyphenol known to extend lifespan by stimulating sirtuins. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PIC and RSV on the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathway in mouse hepatocytes and an obese/diabetic KK/HlJ mouse model. AML12 mouse hepatocytes in the absence or presence of palmitic acids (PA) were treated with PIC ($50{\mu}M$) or RSV ($50{\mu}M$). Male KK/HlJ mice at 20 weeks of age were divided into three subgroups as follows: 1) obese and diabetic control (KK), 2) KK_PIC, and 3) KK_RSV. PIC and RSV were administered orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks. Four weeks of PIC and RSV treatment did not affect body weight or food intake in KK mice. Serum fasting blood glucose was significantly reduced in KK_PIC, and 2 h oral glucose tolerance test area under the curve was significantly reduced by PIC and RSV treatment in KK mice. PIC tended to improve homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and HOMA beta-cells in diabetic KK mice. TLR4 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ were down-regulated by PIC and RSV treatments in hepatocytes in the absence or presence of PA. Insulin receptor, AMP-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3, interleukin-1, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ were altered in PIC-treated livers. Collectively, PIC and RSV inhibited the $TLR4-NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway, and PIC seems to be more effective than RSV in the regulation of analyzed targets, which are involved in insulin signaling and inflammation in vivo.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.133-144
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• 2023

Ureteral obstruction can be causes of renal dysfunction and renal injury at late period of kidney pathology. The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effects of Oryeongsan (ORS), Geumgwe-sinkihwan (GSH), and Jwagwieum (JGE) in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The animal models were divided into five groups randomly at the age of 5 weeks; Control group: SD male rats (n=10), UUO group: SD male rats with UUO surgery (n=10), ORS group: SD male rats with UUO surgery + ORS 200 mg/kg/day (n=10), GSH group: SD male rats with UUO surgery + GSH 200 mg/kg/day (n=10), JGE group: SD male rats with UUO surgery + JGE 200 mg/kg/day (n=10). Treatment with ORS, GSH, and JGE significantly ameliorate creatinine clearance(Ccr). The present results also showed that ORS, GSH, and JGE improved the morphological aspects of renal tissues. These prescriptions also reduced the expression levels of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In Kidney, UUO increased the expression levels of inflamasome markers such as NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1. However, ORS, GSH, and JGE suppressed these levele. Treatment with these prescriptions reduced kidney inflammation markers such as Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule -1 (KIM-1). Therefore, these findings suggest that ORS, GSH, and JGE has a protective effect on renal injury by alleviating renal inflammation and improving renal function in rats with UUO.