• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.339-348
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• 2007

This study were designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of $genistein-4'-O-{\alpha}-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (GRG) isolated from Sophora japonica (Leguminosae) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin ($PGE_2$) production by RAW 264.7 cell line. GRG significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ production. Consistent with these observations, GRG reduced the LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein and mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the release and the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also reduced by GRG. Moreover, GRG attenuated the LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), a transcription factor necessary for pro-inflammatory mediators, iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 expression. These results suggest that the down regulation of iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 expression by GRG are achieved by the downregulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity, and that is also responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 2016

Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine whether Haedoksamul-tang (HS), a traditional oriental herbal medicine, have beneficail effects on anti-inflammation and dyslipidemia in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ICR mouse. Methods: Twenty four 8-week old male ICR mouse were divided into four groups: normal untreated; LPS treatment only; HS 10 mg/kg plus LPS treatment; and HS 30 mg/kg plus LPS treatment. HS was orally administered per day for 2days. Twenty-four hours after LPS injection (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.), all the mice were sacrificed, and serological changes were evaluated. The levels of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription protein 1 (SREBP-1) activity and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase a (ACCa) expression were analyzed in Western blot analysis. Results: HS inhibited oxidative stress in the liver of LPS-induced ICR mice. The LPS-induced ICR mice exhibited the increase of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity and COX-2, iNOS, TNF-a, MCP-1 expressions in the liver, while HS treatment significantly inhibited them. Moreover, The administration of HS significantly decreased the elevated serum triglyceride and down-regulated the levels of SREBP-1, ACCa in the liver of LPS-induced ICR mice. Conclusions: In conclusion, HS could have hepato-protective effects against the oxidative stress-related inflammation and abnormal lipid metabolism.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.20-31
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• 2019

Objectives: The seeds from Arctium lappa have been considered for its various pharmacological properties, which include anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-viral activities. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol extract from the seeds of Arctium lappa L (EAL) on cytokine-induced vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Results: Pretreatment with EAL significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$)-induced cell adhesion molecules expression such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and endothelial-selectin (E-selectin) in a dose-dependent manner. Cell adhesion assay showed that pretreatment with EAL suppressed HUVEC-monocyte adhesion by $TNF-{\alpha}$ over $1{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. We investigated the involvement of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced vascular inflammation. $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 nuclear expression was induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$, however, pretreatment with EAL was attenuated that nuclear translocation. In cytoplasm, EAL was also attenuated $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced decrease of inhibitor of ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) expression. Moreover, EAL significantly decreased $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggest that seeds of Arctium lappa L could be a therapeutic herb for prevention of cardiovascular diseases throughout the inhibition of vascular endothelial inflammation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8579-8587
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• 2016

Background: The molecular mechanisms linking breast cancer progression and inflammation still remain obscure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association of angiopoeitin like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) and its regulatory factor, hypoxia inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), with the inflammatory markers nuclear factor kappa B/p65 (NF-${\kappa}B$/P65) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) in order to evaluate their role in inflammation associated breast cancer progression. Materials and Methods: Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) mRNA expressions were evaluated using quantitative real time PCR and its protein expression by immunohistochemistry. DNA binding activity of NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 was evaluated by transcription factor binding immunoassay. Serum levels of ANGPTL4, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ were immunoassayed. Tumor clinico-pathological features were investigated. Results: ANGPTL4 mRNA expressions and serum levels were significantly higher in high grade breast carcinoma ($1.47{\pm}0.31$ and $184.98{\pm}18.18$, respectively) compared to low grade carcinoma ($1.21{\pm}0.32$ and $171.76{\pm}7.58$, respectively) and controls ($0.70{\pm}0.02$ and $65.34{\pm}6.41$, respectively), (p<0.05). Also, ANGPTL4 high/moderate protein expression was positively correlated with tumor clinico-pathological features. In addition, serum levels of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ as well as NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 DNA binding activity were significantly higher in high grade breast carcinoma ($148.54{\pm}14.20$, $0.79{\pm}0.03$ and $247.13{\pm}44.35$ respectively) than their values in low grade carcinoma ( $139.14{\pm}5.83$, $0.34{\pm}0.02$ and $184.23{\pm}37.75$, respectively) and controls ($33.95{\pm}3.11$, $0.11{\pm}0.02$ and $7.83{\pm}0.92$, respectively), (p<0.001). Conclusion: ANGPTL4 high serum levels and tissue expressions in advanced grade breast cancer, in addition to its positive correlation with tumor clinico-pathological features and HIF-$1{\alpha}$ could highlight its role as one of the signaling factors involved in breast cancer progression. Moreover, novel correlations were found between ANGPTL4 and the inflammatory markers, IL-$1{\beta}$ and NF-${\kappa}B$/p65, in breast cancer, which may emphasize the utility of these markers as potential tools for understanding interactions for axes of carcinogenesis and inflammation contributed for cancer progression. It is thus hoped that the findings reported here would assist in the development of new breast cancer management strategies that would promote patients' quality of life and ultimately improve clinical outcomes. However, large-scale studies are needed to verify these results.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2008

$I{\kappa}B$ kinase (IKK), the pivotal kinase in signal-dependent activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), is composed of multiple protein components, including IKK ${\alpha}/{\beta}/{\gamma}$ core subunits. To investigate the regulation of the IKK complex, we immunoaffinity purified the IKK complex, and by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identified a splice variant of zinc finger protein 268 (ZNF268) as a novel IKKinteracting protein. Both the full-length and the spliced form of the ZNF268 protein were detected in a variety of mammalian tissues and cell lines. The genes were cloned and expressed by in vitro transcription/translation. Several deletion derivatives, such as KRAB domain (KRAB) on its own, the KRAB/spacer/4-zinc fingers (zF4), and the spacer/4-zinc fingers (zS4), were ectopically expressed in mammalian cells and exhibited had different subcellular locations. The KRAB-containing mutants were restricted to the nucleus, while zS4 was localized in the cytosol. TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation was examined using these mutants and only zS4 was found to stimulate activation. Collectively, the results indicate that a spliced form of ZNF268 lacking the KRAB domain is located in the cytosol, where it seems to play a role in TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation by interacting with the IKK complex.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.95-109
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• 2003

Inflammatory lung diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. The sources of the increased oxidative stress in patients with chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) derive from the increased burden of inhaled oxidants, and from the increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by several inflammatory, immune and various structural cells of the airways. Increased levels of ROS produced in the airways is reflected by increased markers of oxidative stress in the airspaces, sputum, breath, lungs and blood in patients with lung diseases. ROS, either directly or via the formation of lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal may play a role in enhancing the inflammation through the activation of stress kinases (JNK, MAPK, p38) and redox sensitive transcription factors such as NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1. Recent evidences have indicated that oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators can alter nuclear histone acetylation/deacetylation allowing access for transcription factor DNA binding leading to enhanced pro-inflammatory gene expression in various lung cells. Understanding of the mechanisms of redox signaling, NF-${\kappa}B$/AP-1 regulation, the balance between histone acetylation and deacetylation and the release and expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators may lead to the development of novel therapies based on the pharmacological manipulation of antioxidants in lung inflammation and injury. Antioxidants that have effective wide spectrum activity and good bioavailability, thiols or molecules which have dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, may be potential therapeutic agents which not only protect against the direct injurious effects of oxidants, but may fundamentally alter the underlying inflammatory processes which play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.128-134
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• 2016

L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is a cell surface molecule to initiate a variety of cellular responses through interacting with other cell adhesion molecules in a homophilic or heterophilic manner. Although its expression was found to be upregulated in some tumor cells, including cholangiocarcinomas, and ovarian cancers, and many studies have investigated the role of L1CAM in these cancers, its role in inflammatory responses has been poorly understood. In this study, we explored the role of L1CAM in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. L1CAM significantly suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO), but induced cell proliferation in RAW264.7 cells. L1CAM expression was detectable, but its expression was markedly decreased by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by LPS was dramatically suppressed by L1CAM in RAW264.7 cells. L1CAM inhibited the transcriptional activities of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 while its cytoplasmic domain deletion form, $L1{\Delta}CD$ did not suppressed their activities in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, L1CAM suppressed nuclear translocation of p65 and p50 as well as c-Jun, c-Fos and p-ATF2 which are transcription factors of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1, respectively. In conclusion, L1CAM suppressed inflammatory responses in macrophages through inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 pathways.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.149-154
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• 2008

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontal pathogen, has been implicated in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. Endothelial dysfunction (Editor note: Aberrant and dysfunction are somewhat redundant. The authors may want to choose one or the other.) contributes to chronic periodontal inflammation. Using cDNA-representational difference analysis, we found that P.gingivalis lipopolysaccharide differentially induces a number of genes in human microvascular endothelial cells. Among these upregulated genes, we focused on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), which is crucial for leukocyte recruitment during vascular inflammation. P. gingivalis LPS significantly increased the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) as well as ICAM-1. Promoter assays revealed that the transcription of these cell adhesion molecules was mainly regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) in endothelial cells. Furthermore, P. gingivalis LPS significantly increased leukocyte adhesiveness to microvascular endothelial cells and to aortic endothelium. Taken together, our results demonstrate that P. gingivalis LPS activates microvascular endothelial cells through NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent expression of cell adhesion molecules.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2015

Objectives: Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, has been reported to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but its anti-inflammatory effects, which are also closely linked with apoptosis, if any, on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not so far been critically examined. In this study, we tried to determine if quercetin had any demonstrable anti-inflammatory potential, which also could significantly contribute to inducing apoptosis in a NSCLC cell line, A549. Methods: In this context, several assays, including cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and fluorimetry, were done. Gene expression was analyzed by using a western blot analysis. Results: Results revealed that quercetin could induce apoptosis in A549 cells through mitochondrial depolarization by causing an imbalance in B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bcl2/Bax) ratio and by down-regulating the interleukine-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway. An analysis of the data revealed that quercetin could block nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity at early hours, which might cause a down-regulation of the IL-6 titer, and the IL-6 expression, in turn, could inhibit p-STAT3 expression. Down-regulation of both the STAT3 and the NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions might, therefore, cause down-regulation of Bcl2 activity because both are major upstream effectors of Bcl2. Alteration in Bcl2 responses might result in an imbalance in the Bcl2/Bax ratio, which could ultimately bring about mitochondria mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Conclusion: Overall, the finding of this study indicates that a quercetin induced anti-inflammatory pathway in A549 cells appeared to make a significant contribution towards induction of apoptosis in NSCLC and, thus, may have a therapeutic use such as a strong apoptosis inducer in cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.551-560
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• 2014

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and fourth most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Untreated chronic inflammation in the intestine ranks among the top three high-risk conditions for colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) protein is a member of the STAT family of transcription factors often deregulated in CRC. In this review, we try to emphasize the critical role of STAT3 in CAC as well as the crosstalk of STAT3 with inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, PI3K/Akt, Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), Notch, $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin and microRNA (MiR) pathways. STAT3 is considered as a primary drug target to treat CAC in humans and rodents. Also we updated the findings for inhibitors of STAT3 with regard to effects on tumorigenesis. This review will hopefully provide insights on the use of STAT3 as a therapeutic target in CAC.