• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2016

Lichens have been known to possess multiple biological activities, including anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Hence, VCAM-1 is a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of the inflammatory disease. However, the effect of lobaric acid on VCAM-1 has not yet been investigated and characterized. For this study, we examined the effect of lobaric acid on the inhibition of VCAM-1 in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$)-stimulated mouse vascular smooth muscle cells. Western blot and ELISA showed that the increased expression of VCAM-1 by TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly suppressed by the pre-treatment of lobaric acid ($0.1-10{\mu}g/ml$) for 2 h. Lobaric acid abrogated TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity through preventing the degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and p38 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase. Lobaric acid also inhibited the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ receptor 1 (TNF-R1). Overall, our results suggest that lobaric acid inhibited VCAM-1 expression through the inhibition of p38, ERK, JNK and NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathways, and downregulation of TNF-R1 expression. Therefore, it is implicated that lobaric acid may suppress inflammation by altering the physiology of the atherosclerotic lesion.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.1-6
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• 2016

Objectives : Nardostachys jatamansi (NJ) is a medicinal herb that has been reported in various traditional systems of medicine for its use in antispasmodic, a digestive stimulant, skin diseases. Previous studies have already reported that NJ effectively protects against inflammation. However, the active compound in NJ is unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed effects of a compound, 8α-hydroxy pinoresinol (HP), isolated from NJ against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells.Methods : To examine the anti-inflammatory effect of HP against LPS, intraperitoneally pre-treat the HP (100, 200, 500 and 1,000 nM) 1 h prior to LPS challenges. LPS was stimulated with 500 ng/ml in RAW 264.7 cells. To identify the anti-inflammatory effect of HP, we measured inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and its derivative nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Also we evaluated molecular mechanisms including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activation by western blot.Results : The HP inhibited production of inflammatory mediators, such as iNOS and its derivative NO, COX-2 and PGE2 in LPS- induced inflammationin RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, HP also inhibited activation of p38 pathway signaling but not extracellularsignal-regulatedkinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and NF-κB.Conclusion : Our results suggest that HP has anti-inflammatory functions through the dephosphorylation of p38 and HP can provide beneficial strategy for prevention and therapy of inflammation.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.3 s.54
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• pp.275-282
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• 2006

In order to get insight into the mechanism of cadmium (Cd)-induced brain injury, we investigated the effects of Cd on the induction of COX-2 in bEnd.3 mouse brain endothelial cells. Cd induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ release, which were attenuated by thiol-reducing antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) indicating oxidative components might contribute to these events. Indeed, Cd increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), an oxidative stress sensitive transcription factor. Cd-induced $PGE_2$ production and COX-2 expression were significantly attenuated by Bay 11 7082, a specific inhibitor of NF-kB and by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). These data suggest that Cd induces COX-2 expression through activation of NF-kB and p38 MAPK, the oxidative stress-sensitive signaling molecules, in brain endothelial cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.150-156
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• 2016

Extract of Broussometia kazinoki Rhizodermatis has been traditionally used for geopoong, diuresis, hwalhyeol. In the present study, the apoptotic effect of methanol extract of Broussometia kazinoki (MBK) were investigated. Cell viability of A549 cells was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis-related protein and MAPK protein levels were measured by Western blot. Chromatin condensation of A549 cells was stained with DAPI. MBK inhibited cell proliferation of A549 cell. Based on DAPI staining, MBK-treated cells manifested nuclear shrinkage, condensation and fragmentation. Treatment of A549 cells with MBK resulted in activation of the caspase-3, -8, -9 and cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). In the upstream, MBK increased the expressions Bax and Bak, decreased the expression of Bcl-2, and augmented the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. MBK-induced apoptosis was accompanied by sustained phosphorylation of JNK, p38 MAPK and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK)-1. These results suggest that MBK induced apoptosis in A549 cells through Bcl-2 family protein-mediated mitochondria/caspase-3 dependent pathway. In addition, MBK increased the activation of ASK-1, which are critical upsteam signals for JNK/p38 MAPK activation in A549 cancer cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.395-401
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• 2016

Endochondral bone formation is the process by which mesenchymal cells condense into chondrocytes, which are ultimately responsible for new bone formation. The processes of chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophy are critical for bone formation and are therefore highly regulated. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of aloe-emodin on chondrogenic differentiation in clonal mouse chondrogenic ATDC5 cells. Aloe-emodin treatment stimulated the accumulation of cartilage nodules in a dose-dependent manner. ATDC5 cells were treated with aloe-emodin and stained with alcian blue. Compared with the control cells, the ATDC5 cells showed more intense alcian blue staining. This finding suggested that aloe-emodin induced the synthesis of matrix proteoglycans and increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase. Aloe-emodin also enhanced the expressions of chondrogenic marker genes such as collagen II, collagen X, BSP and RunX2 in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, examination of the MAPK signaling pathway showed that aloe-emodin increased the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but had no effect on p38 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Aloe-emodin also enhanced the protein expression of BMP-2 in a time-dependent manner. Thus, these results showed that aloe-emodin exhibited chodromodulating effects via the BMP-2 or ERK signaling pathway. Aloe-emodin may have potential future applications for the treatment of growth disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.39-54
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the water extract of Omisodokeum (OMSDE) on peritoneal macrophages, Methods: To verify the anti-inflammatory mechanism of OMSDE, the activation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ and the phosphorylation of MAPK were examined. Results: The extract of OMSDE suppressed the production of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-12 in the macrophages. OMSDE inhibited the degradation of inhibitory ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ $(I{\kappa}B-{\alpha})$ and it suppressed the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) but didn't inhibit c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, indicating that OMSDE may inhibit the pro-inflammatory cytokine production process by inhibiting the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and ERK 1/2. Furthermore, OMSDE inhibited the production of interferon $(IFN)-{\beta}$ but didn't inhibit of $IFN-{\alpha}$ in the LPS-stimulated macrophages through the down-regulation of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and IRF-7. The Oral administration of OMSDE inhibited LPS-induced endotoxin shock and the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in serum but didn't inhibit of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6. Conclusion: These results suggest that OMSDE may be effective in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.288-295
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• 2011

Amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$)-induced neurotoxicity is a major pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of L-theanine, a component of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on $A{\beta}_{1-42}$-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative damages of macromolecules. L-theanine inhibited $A{\beta}_{1-42}$-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 mitogenic activated protein kinase as well as the activity of nuclear factor kappa-B. L-theanine also signifi cantly reduced oxidative protein and lipid damage, and elevated glutathione level. Consistent with the reduced neurotoxic signals, L-theanine (10-50 ${\mu}g$/ml) concomitantly attenuated $A{\beta}_{1-42}$ (5 ${\mu}M$)-induced neurotoxicity in SK-N-MC and SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. These data indicate that L-theanine on $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity prevented oxidative damages of neuronal cells, and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease like AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.519-527
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• 2017

Excessive activation of microglia causes the continuous production of neurotoxic mediators, which further causes neuron degeneration. Therefore, inhibition of microglial activation is a possible target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Balanophonin, a natural neolignoid from Firmiana simplex, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects and mechanism of balanophonin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia cells. BV2 microglia cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of balanophonin. The results indicated that balanophonin reduced not only the LPS-mediated TLR4 activation but also the production of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), $Interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), in BV2 cells. Balanophonin also inhibited LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) protein expression and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK. Interestingly, it also inhibited neuronal cell death resulting from LPS-activated microglia by regulating cleaved caspase-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage in N2a cells. In conclusion, our data indicated that balanophonin may delay the progression of neuronal cell death by inhibiting microglial activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.199-205
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• 2006

The functional expression of potassium $(K^+)$ channels has electrophysiologically been studied in bone cells from several species, however, their identity and regulation of gene expressions in bone cells are not well known. In the present study, to investigate how $K^+$ channel expressions are regulated by estrogen, we measured changes of transcript levels of various $Ca^{2+}$-activated ($K_{Ca}$) and ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels in rat osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells after treatment with estrogen. Application of 17${\beta}$-estradiol $(E_2)$ for 24 h and 48 h increased mRNA and protein expressions of inwardly rectifying $K^+$ channel (Kir) 6.2 and type 2 small conductance $K_{Ca}$ channel (SK2), respectively. Combined treatment of cells with 17${\beta}-E_2$ and ICI 182,780, a pure antiestrogen, suppressed 17${\beta}-E_2$-induced alterations of SK2 and Kir6.2 mRNA levels. In addition, treatment of cells with U0126, a specific inhibitor of extracellular receptor kinases (ERK)1/2, and SP600125, a specific inhibitor of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) blocked the enhancing effects of 17${\beta}-E_2$ on SK2 and Kir6.2 protein expressions. On the other hand, blocking of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase had no effect. Taken together, these results indicate that 17${\beta}-E_2$ modulates SK2 and Kir6.2 expressions through the estrogen receptor, involving ERK1/2 and JNK activations.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.368-373
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extract from Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. (EAS) on the RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate of anti-inflammatory of EAS, we examined the cytokine productions on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and also inhibitory mechanisms using Western blot. EAS reduced LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in RAW 264.7 cells. EAS inhibited the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as p38, extracelluar signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) but not of inhibitory kappa B a (Ik-Ba) degradation in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, EAS down-regulated LPS-induced NO and cytokines production, which could provide a clinical basis.