• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2022

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes are responsible for the degradation and formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and overproduction of MMPs is observed in several diseases, such as cancer and asthma, that progress with metastatic characteristics. Natural products, especially phytochemicals, have been an important source of MMP inhibitors with reduced side effects. Although the majority of phytochemicals inhibit the enzymatic activity of MMPs, some suppress MMP production. In this context, the current study evaluated the potential of Corydalis heterocarpa, a halophyte with reported bioactivities, to inhibit MMP expression in PMA-stimulated HT-1080 cells. A crude C. heterocarpa extract was shown to decrease the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 while increasing the endogenous MMP inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 which regulate MMP expression in healthy tissues. In addition, our results show that the inhibitory effects of C. heterocarpa might occur through suppression of the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling, the upstream activator of MMP overexpression. In conclusion, C. heterocarpa is a potential source of antimetastatic compounds that might serve as lead molecules to develop novel MMP inhibitors.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

Objectives : Gamisoyosan (GMS) is a useful prescription for treating insomnia, dysmenorrhea and infertility induced by a stress. Also, GMS has been used traditionally to improve systemic circulation and biological energy production. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of Gamisoyosan Formulation (Soft extract, GMS-SE). Methods : The biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were measured through cell line-based in vitro assay. We investigated the anti-oxidant properties of GMS-SE on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, contents of total flavonoid and polyphenol. GMS-SE compared to butyl hydroxy anizole (BHA). Furthermore, based on this result the anti-inflammatory effects of GMS-SE have verified by mechanism from LPS- treated Raw264.7 macrophages. Results : The anti-oxidant activities of GMS-SE increased markedly, in a dose-dependent manner. The GMS-SE showed significant scavenging activity (GMS-SE $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ : $32.77{\pm}1.65%$, GMS-SE $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ : $45.06{\pm}1.04%$ and BHA $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ : $39.25{\pm}2.41%$ for DPPH assay). and, The total phenolic compound and flavonoids contents of GMS-SE were $73.93{\pm}6.87{\mu}g/mg$ and $698.75{\pm}6.78{\mu}g/mg$. GMS-SE which is LPS has diminished in the LPS-induced release of inflammatory mediators (NO, iNOS, COX2 and PGE2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$) from the RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, GMS-SE inhibited the activation of phosphorylation of p38 and ERK MAPKs by induced LPS. Conclusion : The present results indicate that GMS-SE has an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, therefore may be beneficial in diseases which related to oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory disorders.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1063-1070
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• 2009

Dangyuja (Citrus grandis Osbeck) is a native plant growing only on Jeju Island in Korea. In this study, antiinflammatory effect of dangyuja leaves on a murine macrophage cell line was investigated. RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $1{\mu}g/mL$) to induce expression of pro-inflammatory markers [interleukin (IL)-6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)]. The crude extract (80% MeOH Ex.) and solvent fractions (hexane, $CHCl_3$, EtOAc, BuOH, and $H_2O$ Ex.) were obtained from dangyuja leaves. The $CHCl_3$ fraction inhibited the nitric oxide (NO) and IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the $CHCl_3$ fraction inhibited mRNA expression and protein levels of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the $CHCl_3$ fraction inhibited LPS-induced nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activation and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs: ERK, JNK, and p38). These results suggest that dangyuja leaves may inhibit LPS-induced production of inflammatory markers by blocking NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs signaling in RAW 264.7 cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.14-25
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate inhibitory effect on the maturation of dendritic cells from aqueous extract from Nardostachys Jatamansi(NJ). Methods: I examined the phenotypic maturation(class II MHC, CD40, CD86), expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine(TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-12) and endocytosis of FITC-Dextran in the LPS-induced bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDCs) of mice. Furthermore, the Western-blot analysis reveals the mechanism of inhibitory effect. Results: 1. The NJ extract inhibited the phenotypic maturation of BMDCs in a dose-dependent manner. 2. The NJ extract inhibited the LPS induced cytokine production of BMDCs in a dose-dependent manner. 3. The NJ extract enhanced the endocytosis of Dex-FITC in LPS treated DC. 4. The NJ extract inhibited the activation of JNK and p38 phosphorylation, but not ERK phosphorylation of MAPK family and doesn't inhibit Ik-Ba degradation in LPS-stimulated BMDCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that NJ extract is able to attenuate the inflammation and maturation in BMDCs and may inhibit proliferation of T cells. In conclusion, this experiment suggests that NJ extract may be useful in hypersensitivity disease including autoimmune disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1174-1178
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• 2011

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are microbial polysaccharides that are released outside of the bacterial cell wall. There have been few studies on EPS-producing lactic acid bacteria that can enhance macrophage activity and the underlying signaling mechanism for cytokine expression. In the current study, EPS-overproducing Lactobacillus (L.) paracasei KB28 was isolated from kimchi and cultivated in conditioned media containing glucose, sucrose, and lactose. The whole bacterial cells were obtained with their EPS being attached, and the cytokine-inducing activities of these cells were investigated. Gas chromatography analysis showed the presence of glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, arabinose, and rhamnose in EPS composition. EPS-producing L. paracasei KB28 induced the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12 in mouse macrophages. This strain also caused the degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and phosphorylation of the major MAPKs: Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. The use of pharmacological inhibitors showed that different signaling pathways were involved in the induction of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-12 by L. paracasei KB28. Our results provide information for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the immunomodulatory effect of food-derived EPS-producing lactic acid bacteria.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1146-1153
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• 2022

Many probiotic species have been used as a fermentation starter for manufacturing functional food materials. We have isolated Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LDTM 8102 from the feces of infants as a novel strain for fermentation. While Glycine max has been known to display various bioactivities including anti-oxidant, anti-skin aging, and anti-cancer effects, the immune-modulatory effect of Glycine max has not been reported. In the current study, we have discovered that the extract of Glycine max fermented with B. animalis subsp. lactis LDTM 8102 (GFB 8102), could exert immuno-modulatory properties. GFB 8102 treatment increased the production of immune-stimulatory cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages without any noticeable cytotoxicity. Analysis of the molecular mechanism revealed that GFB 8102 could upregulate MAPK2K and MAPK signaling pathways including ERK, p38, and JNK. GFB 8102 also increased the proliferation rate of splenocytes isolated from mice. In an animal study, administration of GFB 8102 partially recovered cyclophosphamide-mediated reduction in thymus and spleen weight. Moreover, splenocytes from the GFB 8102-treated group exhibited increased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production. Based on these findings, GFB 8102 could be a promising functional food material for enhancing immune function.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1157-1167
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• 2014

In order to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of five selected cereal grains-proso millet, hwanggeumchal sorghum, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, and adlay-the inhibitory activities of 80% ethanol (EtOH) extracts obtained from the individual grains on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation were investigated in RAW264.7 cells. The EtOH extract of barnyard millet (Echinochloa crus-galli var. frumentacea) grains exhibited more potent anti-inflammatory activity than that of the other grains. When the EtOH extract of barnyard millet grains was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, methylene chloride (MC), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol, the majority of the anti-inflammatory activity was detected in the MC fraction, followed by the EtOAc fraction. Pretreatment with the MC fraction caused downregulation of the expression levels of iNOS- and COX-2-specific transcripts and proteins, as well as proinflammatory cytokine gene transcripts (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, the MC fraction could suppress not only the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of cytosolic NF-kB, but also the LPS-induced activation of MAPKs, such as ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK. Further analysis of the MC fraction by HPLC identified kaempferol, biochanin A, and formononetin as the major phenolic components. Both kaempferol and biochanin A, but not formononetin, could exert anti-inflammatory effect at the same concentrations as those of the MC fraction. Consequently, these results indicate that kaempferol and biochanin A are among the most effective anti-inflammatory phenolic components in barnyard millet grains. This finding suggests that barnyard millet grains and the MC extract enriched in kaempferol and biochanin A could be beneficial functional food sources that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.929-937
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• 2022

To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the grains of sorghum, three Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench variants (Hwanggeumchal, Huinchal, and Chal) being cultivated in Korea, the 80% ethanol (EtOH) extracts of individual sorghum grains were compared for their inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell line. Among them, the EtOH extract of sorghum Hwanggeumchal grains could exert the highest inhibitory effect on the LPS-induced NO production. However, under these conditions, the viability of RAW264.7 cells was not affected. When the EtOH extract of sorghum Hwanggeumchal grains was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, methylene chloride (MC), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol, the anti-NO production activity was predominantly detected in both MC and EtOAc fractions. In particular, treatment with the MC fraction reduced dose-dependently the expression levels of iNOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Simultaneously, the MC fraction could prevent LPS-induced activating phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). HPLC analysis of the MC fraction showed gentisic acid and naringenin as the major phenolic components. Both gentisic acid and naringenin commonly exhibited a potent inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. Together, these results provide the evidence of the inhibitory activity of Hwanggeumchal grains on LPS-induce inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells and also suggest that sorghum grains possess beneficial health effects which can be applicable in development of the grain-based functional foods.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.310-319
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• 2003

Inflammatory mediators has been recognized as an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-17 is increasingly recognized as an important regulator of immune and inflammatory responses, including induction of proinflammatory cytokines and osteoclastic bone resorption. Evidence of the expression and proinflammatory activity of IL-17 has been demonstrated in RA synovium and in animal models of RA. However, the signaling pathways that regulate IL-17 production remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway in the regulation of IL-17 production in RA. PBMC were separated from RA (n=24) patients, and stimulated with various agents (anti CD3, anti CD28, PHA, ConA, IL-15). IL-17 levels were determined by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. The production of IL-17 was significantly increased in cells treated with anti-CD3 antibody, PHA, IL-15 or MCP-1 (P<0.05). ConA also strongly induced IL-17 production (P<0.001), whereas TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-18 or TGF-beta did not. IL-17 was detected in the PBMC of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) but their expression levels were much lower than those of RA PBMC. Anti-CD3 antibody activated the PI3K-Akt pathway and activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway resulted in a pronounced augmentation of nuclear factor kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$). IL-17 production by activated PBMC in RA is completely or partially blocked in the presence of $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor PDTC and PI3K-Akt inhibitor, wortmannin and LY294002, respectively. Whereas the inhibition of AP-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 did not affect IL-17 production. These results provide new insight into that PI3K/Akt and $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent signal transduction pathway could be involved in the overproduction of key inflammatory cytokine, IL-17 in rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.980-986
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• 2021

Natural products have always been an attractive source in terms of novel anti-metastatic compounds which can hinder MMP expression and activity. Corydalis heterocarpa is a salt marsh plant found in the seashores throughout Korea. Its yellow flowers and spikes have been an ingredient in folk medicine to treat spasm and contractions. The present study assessed the potential of different solvent-based fractions from the crude extract of Corydalis heterocarpa (CHE), a halophyte with reported bioactivities, to suppress the PMA-induced MMP expression in human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells. The solvent fractions which were named after the solvent used for fractionation (n-hexane, 85% aqueous (aq.) methanol (MeOH), n-butanol (BuOH), and H₂O were shown to inhibit the both elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and simultaneously relieved the suppression on the expression of the endogenous MMP inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Results indicated that the CHE fractions might intervene with the PMA-induced activation of the MAPK signaling which is the upstream activator of MMP overexpression. Among tested samples, 85% aq. MeOH and n-hexane fractions of CHE was determined to be the most active and future studies to isolate the bioactive substances responsible for the regulation of the MMP expression are, therefore, urged. In conclusion, C. heterocarpa was shown to be a potential source of anti-metastatic compounds and n-Hexane and MeOH fractions might yield lead molecules to develop novel MMP inhibitors.