• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2010

Flavonoids are known to be effective scavengers of free radicals. In particular, proanthocyanidins are flavonoids that possess cardiovascular protection, antioxidative activities, and immunomodulatory activities. Here, we evaluated proanthocyanidin contents in the total polyphenolic compounds of pine needle extracts prepared by hot water, ethanol, hexane, hot water-hexane (HWH), and hot water-ethanol (HWE). Analysis of each extract indicated that the ethanol extract contained the highest proanthocyanidin concentration. The HWH and hexane extracts also contained relatively high concentrations of proanthocyanidin. On the other hand, proanthocyanidin content analyses out of the total polyphenolic compounds indicated that the HWH extract contained the highest content. These results suggest that HWH extraction is a suitable method to obtain an extract with a high level of pure proanthocyanidins and a relatively high yield. The HWH extract possessed superior activity in diverse antioxidative analyses such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferrous ion chelating (FIC), and ferric-ion reducing power (FRAP) assays. In addition, upon assessing the effects of the pine needle extracts on macrophages (Raw 264.7 cell), the HWH extract exhibited the highest activity. In this study, we discerned an efficient extraction method to achieve relatively pure proanthocyanidins from pine needles and evaluated the biological functions of the resulting extract, which could potentially be used for its efficacious components in functional food products.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.101-101
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• 2003

Prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible cyclooygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), respectively, have been implicated as important mediators in the process of inflammation and carcinogenesis. On this line, the potential COX-2 or iNOS inhibitors have been considered as anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In our continuing efforts of searching for novel cancer chemopreventive agents from natural products, we isolated natural sesquiterpenoids as potential COX-2 and iNOS inhibitors in cultured lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Alantolactone, a natural eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, exhibited a potent inhibition of COX-2 (IC50 = 0.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) and iNOS activity (IC50 = 0.08 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) in the assay system determined by PGE2 and NO accumulation, respectively. The inhibitory potential of alantolactone on the PGE2 and NO production was well coincided with the suppression of COX-2 and iNOS protein and mRNA expression in LPS-induced macrophages. Furthermore, alantolactone inhibited NF-kB but not AP-l binding activity on nuclear extracts evoked by LPS-stimulated macrophage cells, suggesting the possible involvement of NF-kB in the regulation of COX-2 and iNOS expression. In further study with COX-2-expressing human colon HT-29 cells, alantolactone inhibited the cell proliferation, down-regulated COX-2, and inhibited the ERK phosphorylation in the early time. These results suggest that a natural sesquiterpenoid alantolactone might be a potential lead candidate for further developing COX-2 or iNOS inhibitor possessing cancer chemopreventive or anti-inflammatory activity

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2016

Background: Adipocyte-macrophage communication plays a critical role regulating white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammatory gene expression. Because WAT inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic diseases, there is significant interest in understanding how exogenous compounds regulate the adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk. An aqueous (AQ) extract of North American (NA) ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) was previously shown to have strong inflammo-regulatory properties in adipocytes. This study examined whether different ginseng extracts influence adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk, as well as WAT inflammatory gene expression. Methods: The effects of AQ and ethanol (EtOH) ginseng extracts ($5{\mu}g/mL$) on adipocyte and macrophage inflammatory gene expression were studied in 3T3-L1 and RAW264.7 cells, respectively, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adipose tissue organ culture was also used to examine the effects of ginseng extracts on epididymal WAT (EWAT) and inguinal subcutaneous WAT (SWAT) inflammatory gene expression. Results: The AQ extract caused significant increases in the expression of common inflammatory genes (e.g., Mcp1, Ccl5, Tnf-${\alpha}$, Nos2) in both cell types. Culturing adipocytes in media from macrophages treated with the AQ extract, and vice versa, also induced inflammatory gene expression. Adipocyte Ppar-${\gamma}$ expression was reduced with the AQ extract. The AQ extract strongly induced inflammatory gene expression in EWAT, but not in SWAT. The EtOH extract had no effect on inflammatory gene expression in either both cell types or WAT. Conclusion: These findings provide important new insights into the inflammo-regulatory role of NA ginseng in WAT.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.20 no.2 s.33
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

Objective : In this study, the ethanol extract from flowers of Lespedeza bicolor was investigated for their dermal bioactive properties related to cosmeceuticals such as depigmentation and radical scavenging effect. Results : The ethanol extract from flowers of Lespedeza bicolor showed considerable radical scavenging activity ($SC_{50}:\;10\;{\mu}g/ml$) and inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264.7 macrophages activated with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Although the proliferation of B16/F10 cells was slightly decreased by the ethanol extract from flowers of Lespedeza bicolor at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$, it did not appear necrosis. The ethanol extract from flowers of Lespedeza bicolor down-regulated melanin formation effectively. Methods : The free radical scavenging activity of Lespedeza bicolor was assayed in cell free systems using a stable free radical, 1,l-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Nitrite accumulated in culture medium was measured as an indicator of NO production using a Griess reaction. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and melanin content was assessed using the method of Hosei with some modifications. Conclusions : These results suggest that the ethanol extract from flowers of Lespedeza bicolor is a potent depigmetation agent and it may be a candidate for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2011

Osteoclasts play a critical role in bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis by resorbing the bone. Recently, natural products from plants have been extensively studied as therapeutic drugs to treat and prevent various diseases. Here, we examined the effects of rhizoma arisaematis on ostoclast differentiation and bone resorption. We showed that rhizoma arisaematis significantly suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) in a dose dependent manner but have little or no effect on the cytotoxicity of BMMs and RAW264.7 cells. We found that rhizoma arisaematis iarrow-ed the RANKL-induced c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c1, which is a master regulator of osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, rhizoma arisaematis suppressed the mRNA expression of tartrate resistant-acid phosphatase and cathepsin K iaduced by RANKL in BMMs. in y chanistic studies, rhizoma arisaematis considerably iarrow-ed I-${\kappa}B$ degradation, which is a negative regulator of NF-${\kappa}B$, but iaduced the phosphderlation of p-38, ERK, and JNK.MMlso, we found that rhizoma arisaematis significantly iarrow-ed osteoclastic bone resorption. Taken tarether, our results suggest that rhizoma arisaematis suppresses osteoclast differentiation through down-regulatd the mRANKL-induced c-Fos and NFATc1 expression and iarrow-s bone resorption.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2009

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in host defense by sensing invading microbial pathogens. The stimulation of TLRs by microbial components triggers the activation of the myeloid differential factor 88 (MyD88)- and toll-interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adapter inducing interferon-$\beta$ (TRIF)-dependent downstream signaling pathways. TLR/MyD88 signaling pathway induces the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and IL-$1{\beta}$. On the other hand, TLR/TRIF signaling pathway induces the delayed-activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), and the expression of type I interferons (IFNs) and IFN-inducible genes. The divalent heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is clearly toxic to most mammalian organ systems, especially the immune system. Yet, the underlying toxic mechanism(s) remain unclear. Cd inhibits the MyD88-dependent pathway by ceasing the activity of inhibitor-${\kappa}B$ kinase. However, it is not known whether Cd inhibits the TRIF-dependent pathway. Presently, Cd inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ and IRF3 activation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Cd inhibited LPS-induced IRF3 phosphorylation and IFN-inducible genes such as interferon inducible protein-10 and regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). These results suggest that Cd can modulate TRIF-dependent signaling pathways of TLRs.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.335-340
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• 2011

In this study, we attempted to isolate novel mast cell-stimulating molecules from Staphylococcus aureus. Water-soluble extract of S. aureus cell lysate strongly induced human interleukin-8 in human mast cell line-1 and mouse interleukin-6 in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. The active molecule was purified to homogeneity through a $C_{18}$ reverse phase HPLC column. By determination of its structure by MALDITOF and $^1H$- and $^{13}C$-NMR, adenosine was revealed to be responsible for the observed cytokine induction activities. Further studies using 8-sulfophenyl theophylline, a selective adenosine receptor blocker, verified that purified adenosine can induce interleukin-8 production via adenosine receptors on mast cells. Moreover, adenosine was purified from S. aureus-engulfed RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, used to induce phagocytosis of S. aureus. These results show a novel view of the source of exogenous adenosine in vivo and provide a mechanistic link between inflammatory disease and bacterial infection.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2020

Objectives : US extract is a mixture of each extract of Ulmi cortex and Smilacis rhizoma. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and ovoprotective effects of US extract in in vitro model to identify potential candidates for improving female reproductive function. Methods : The antioxidant activity of US extract was measured using 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory effect of US extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. The antibacterial activity of US extract against vaginitis infection microorganisms were determined with disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The ovoprotective effect of US extract on 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay. Result : US extract showed good antioxidant capacity and inhibited LPS-induced NO production as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 without affecting the cell viability. It showed significant clear zones for Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans but did not indicate the clear zones for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. VCD-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was significantly reduced by US extract pre-treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that US extract has antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-stimulated macrophages, antibacterial activity against vaginitis infection microorganisms, and protective effects on the ovarian cells against VCD-induced ovotoxicity. These findings suggest that the US extract can be used as new prescriptions, supplements, functional foods, and cosmetics for improving female reproductive function.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.175-184
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Angelicae pubescentis Radix water extract (ACE) on immune properties in macrophage cells. Methods: The cells were divided into two groups: As a control, the first was not treated with ACE, and the other was treated with ACE. Together with the cell viability, productions of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ by treating of ACE were monitored. Results: 1. There was no decrease of the cell viability after 24 hr incubation, but a significant decrease after 48 hr incubation with all four concentrations (25, 100, 200, and $400\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) of ACE. 2. A significant increase in the production of NO was observed in the concentrations above $50\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of ACE after 24 hr incubation. 3. Further, after 48 hr incubation, the critical concentration of ACE for the increase was reduced to $25\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. 4. The production of (IL)-$1{\beta}$ significantly increased with the ACE concentrations of 100 and $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ after 24 hr incubation. 5. The production of IL-6 significantly increased with the ACE concentration of $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ after 24 hr incubation. 6. A significant increase in the production of (TNF)-${\alpha}$ was detected with ACE concentrations of 50, 100, and $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ after 24 hr incubation. Conclusions: These show that ACE increases mouse macrophage NO production at concentrations above $50\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, and the cytokines ((IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and (TNF)-${\alpha}$) at concentrations above $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. These results suggest that ACE improves macrophage immune property.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2010

Thermal burn injury induces inflammatory cell infiltrates in the dermis and thickening of the epidermis. Following a burn injury, various mediators, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), are produced in macrophages and neutrophils, exposing all tissues to oxidative injury. The anti-oxidant activities of flavonoids have been widely exploited to scavenge ROS. In this study, we observed that several flavonoids-kaempferol, quercetin, fisetin, and chrysin-inhibit LPS-induced IL-8 promoter activation in RAW 264.7 cells. In contrast with quercetin and fisetin, pretreatment of kaempferol and chrysin did not decrease cell viability. Inflammatory cell infiltrates in the dermis and thickening of the epidermis induced by burn injuries in mice was relieved by kaempferol treatment. However, the injury was worsened by fisetin, quercetin, and chrysin. Expression of TNF-a induced by burn injuries was decreased by kaempferol. These findings suggest the potential use of kaempferol as a therapeutic in thermal burn-induced skin injuries.