• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.681-687
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• 2017

This study was focused on the anti-inflammatory activities of Annona muricata leaf ethanol extracts (AME). Inflammation of macrophages was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, and various inflammation-mediated factors [cytokines and nitric oxide (NO)] were measured. AME treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced NO, cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$], and expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanical studies showed that AME treatment inhibited activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ in macrophages treated with LPS. From these results, AME treatment strongly inhibits LPS-induced inflammation through inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation, suggesting AME could be a potential candidate for treatment of inflammatory disease as a nutraceutical drug.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2018

Background: This present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects of Aucklandia lappa Decne (AL). Methods and Results: We measured cytotoxicity, nitric oxide (NO) content, mRNA expression (iNOS, IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$), protein expression (iNOS, COX-2, and $I{\kappa}B$) and phagocytic activity in RAW264.7 cells. Male BALB/c mice were fed 100 mg/kg AL (Aucklandia lappa Decneon 70% ethanol extract) and 250 mg/kg AL for 4 weeks; thereafter, we observed B/T or $CD4^+/CD8^+$ lymphocyte subpopulation change, and expression patterns of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ lymphocytes by immunohistochemical staining in mouse splenocytes and/or thymocytes. To determine the experimental concentration of AL, cell viability was measured by MTT assay and tested at $12.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ or less. AL inhibited the levels of NO, lymphokine production (IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$), and mRNA (iNOS, IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$) and protein (iNOS, and COX-2) expression. Additionally, the levels of $I{\kappa}B$, phagocytic activity, and splenic and thymic T lymphocytes, especially $T_H$ and $T_C$ cells were significantly increased in AL administered mice. The immuno-reactive density of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ lymphocytes was stronger in AL groups than in the normal group. AL stimulated NO, iNOS, and COX-2, and regulated IL-1${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and $I{\kappa}B$ in macrophages treated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide). In addition, AL increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages and the immunity of mouse T ($T_H$, and $T_C$) cells. Conclusions: These results suggested that AL might show anti-inflammatory activity via the suppression of various inflammatory markers and immuno-regulatory activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.342-347
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• 2007

The dried fruit of the Rubus coreanus, which is well-known in Korea and referred to as 'Bokbunja,' has been employed as a traditional medicine for centuries. This crude drug has been utilized in Korea for the management of impotence, spermatorrhea, enuresis, asthma, and allergic diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that the ethanol extracts of R. coreanus have anti-inflammatory effects. The principal objective of the present study was to conduct a comparison of the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extracts of R. coreanus and R. occidentalis; here, we tested the unripe (URCE), half-ripened (HRCE), and ripened fruits (RCE) of R. coreanus, and the unripe (UROE), half-ripened (HROE), and ripened fruits (ROE) of R. occidentalis. We found that URCE, UROE, HRCE, and HROE reduced the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_{2}$ as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophages. Interestingly, the R. coreanus extracts showed stronger inhibitory effects on the production of these inflammatory mediators than the R. occidentalis extracts.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.618-624
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• 2008

Various calcium phosphate bioceramics are distinguished by their excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Especially, the exceptional biodegradability of $\beta$-TCP makes it a bone graft substitute of choice in many clinical applications. The activation of osteoclasts, differentiated from macrophage precursor cells, trigger a cell-mediated resorption mechanism that renders $\beta$-TCP biodegradable. Based on this evidence, we studied the biodegradation process of granular-type $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute through in vitro and in vivo studies. Raw 264.7 cells treated with RANKL and M-CSF differentiated into osteoclasts with macrophage-like properties, as observed with TRAP stain. These osteoclasts were cultured with $\beta$-TCP nano powders synthesized by microwave-assisted process. We confirmed the phagocytosis of osteoclasts by observing $\beta$-TCP particles in their phagosomes via electron microscopy. No damage to the osteoclasts during phagocytosis was observed, nor did the $\beta$-TCP powders show any sign of cytotoxicity. We also observed the histological changes in subcutaneous tissues of rats implanted with granule-type $\beta$-TCP synthesized by fibrous monolithic process. The $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute was well surrounded with fibrous tissue, and 4 months after implantation, 60% of its mass had been biodegraded. Also, histological findings via H&E stain showed a higher level of infiltration of lymphocytes as well as macrophages around the granule-type $\beta$-TCP. From the results, we have concluded that macrophages play an important role in the biodegradation process of $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitutes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.453-458
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• 2017

This study compared the immuno-modulatory effects of ethanol extracts (A. muricata L. ethanol extracts, ALE) and crude polysaccharide fraction (A. muricata L. crude polysaccharide fraction, ALP) from Annona muricata L. in macrophages. Immuno-modulatory activity was determined by assessing cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression and cytokine production in RAW 264.7 a macrophage cell line. Both ALE and ALP treatment did not affect cytotoxicity, and ALP treatment significantly increased NO production. Additionally, cytokine production [tumor necrosis factor ($TNF-{\alpha}$; $2909.04{\pm}4.1pg/mL$), interleukin (IL)-6; $662.84{\pm}5.3pg/mL$, and $IL-1{\beta}$; $852.37{\pm}2.2pg/mL$), was highly increased in the ALP ($250{\mu}g/mL$) treated group compared to the ALE ($250{\mu}g/mL$) treated group ($TNF-{\alpha}$; $1564.50{\pm}6.1pg/mL$, IL-6; $517.24{\pm}4.1pg/mL$ and $IL-1{\beta}$; $237.23{\pm}1.8pg/mL$). Moreover, ALP treatment considerably increased the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in the macrophages. Therefore, ALP can induce macrophage activation through MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling and this can be a potential candidate for development of nutraceuticals.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.65-80
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• 2014

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro antibacterial effects of Gagam-seopyoungjeon aqueous extracts (GGSYJ) against Gardnerella vaginalis and the possible synergic combination effects with clindamycin. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Gardnerella vaginalis of GGSYJ were detected using minimal inhibition concentration (MIC), and the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at MIC and MIC${\times}$2 levels. The combination effects of GGSYJ with clindamycin were observed by checkboard microtiter assay, and the effects of bacterial growth curve treated with GGSYJ MIC+clindamycin MIC, 1/2 MIC and 1/4 MIC, respectively. The effects on the bacterial invasion and intracellular killing of GGSYJ were also observed using human vaginal epithelial (VK2) and murine macrophage (Raw264.7) cells with combination effects with clindamycin after treatment of GGSYJ MIC+clindamycin 1/2 MIC, 1/4 MIC and 1/6 MIC, respectively. Results: The MIC of clindamycin and GGSYJ against Gardnerella vaginalis were detected as $0.012{\pm}0.006$ (0.004~0.016)${\mu}g/ml$ and $1.016{\pm}0.524$ (0.391~1.563) mg/ml, respectively. Clindamycin and GGSYJ were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth, and significant decreases of viable cells were detected in clindamycin MIC+GGSYJ MIC and clindamycin 1/2 MIC+GGSYJ MIC treatment as compared with each of single clindamycin MIC and GGSYJ MIC treatments. And significant decreases of intraepithelial and intra-macrophage viable bacteria numbers were detected in clindamycin 1/2 MIC+GGSYJ 1/2 MIC and clindamycin 1/4 MIC+GGSYJ 1/2 MIC treatment as compared with each of single clindamycin GGSYJ 1/2 MIC treatments, respectively. Conclusions: GGSYJ showed slight antibacterial effects against Gardnerella vaginalis, but they showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth and VK2 epithelial invasions of bacteria with favorable accelerating effects of intracellular killing activities of macrophages. In addition, combination of GGSYJ also increased the inhibitory effects of clindamycin on the epithelial invasions of Gardnerella vaginalis and intracellular killing activities of macrophages against Gardnerella vaginalis as 2-fold higher as compared with clindamycin single treatment, respectively. Therefore, we expected that the clinical dosages of clindamycin can be reduced as 1/2 levels as combination with GGSYJ.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2022

In this research, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiaging, and skin whitening properties of pulp and seed extracts of passion fruit were studied. The result of the primary skin irritation test using a skin-attached patch determined the skin irritation index to be 0.00 for the passion fruit extract. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages produce NO by stimulation of lipopolysaccharides, and the application of extracts to this resulted in significantly lower NOs, confirming the excellent anti-inflammatory properties of passion fruit extracts. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test further confirmed that the passion fruit extract exhibits a good 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical scavenging ability of 5.11% and strong antioxidant properties. The presence of collagen type I in the skin is a measure of aging and various skin diseases. The results obtained from the analysis of the activity of human procollagen I alpha 1 confirmed that the passion fruit extract reduces the synthesis of procollagen. In addition, the skin whitening property of the passion fruit extract was confirmed by the melanin inhibition test, and a sample was obtained that contained more than 2% of arbutin, a whitening agent approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which is generally present in the form of a white powder and is used as a functional ingredient. This confirms that the whitening efficacy of the passion fruit extract obtained from nature contributes to the development of functional raw materials for cosmetics and food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.642-648
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the capsaicinoid and antioxidant compounds and to evaluate the biological activity of 40 different pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) breeding lines. Capsaicinoid and ascorbic acid content were measured with HPLC. Total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity were measured with spectrophotometric methods. The antiproliferative qualities of the samples against human breast tumor cells (MCF7) were assessed with a MTT assay. The nitric oxide content in the culture media was measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory qualities of the samples using Raw264.7 macrophages. The capsaicinoid, ascorbic acid, polyphenolic and flavonoid content of the 40 pepper breeding lines were 0.1~204.2 mg/100 g (dry weight basis, DWB), 279.1~1695.5 mg/g (DWB), 2.6~10.2 mg/g (DWB), and 1.4~5.7 mg/g (DWB), respectively. The highest antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory qualities were found in breeding line numbers 2500, 3201, and 3232, respectively. This study provides basic information useful to plant breeders and biotechnologists who are planning to breed pepper genotypes with high phytochemical content.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1377-1384
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• 2011

Astaxanthin (ATX) is a red-orange carotenoid pigment that occurs naturally in a wide variety of living organisms. In this study we investigated the inhibitory effects of ATX on the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nitric oxide (NO), proinflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-${\kappa}B$) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, we tested the superoxide radical scavenging activity of ATX by scavenging assay. iNOS and NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions were determined by immunoblot analysis. Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) were assayed by ELISA. NO production was monitored by measuring the amount of nitrite. ROS was examined by using the 2', 7'-Dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) method. At a concentration of 100 ${\mu}M$, ATX inhibited the expression level of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$, as well as the production of LPS-induced NO and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$), by suppressing iNOS expression. In particular, the maximal inhibition rate of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production by ATX (100 ${\mu}M$) was 65.2----- and 21.2-----, respectively. In addition, ATX inhibited the LPS-induced transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$, and this was associated with suppressing the translocations of NF-${\kappa}B$ from the cytosol to the nucleus. Moreover, at various concentrations (25-100 ${\mu}M$), ATX inhibited the intracellular level of ROS. At a concentration of 5 mg/ml, the superoxide radical scavenging activity of ATX was 1.33 times higher than ${\alpha}$-tocopherol of the same concentration. These results showed that ATX inhibited the expression of iNOS and the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines resulting from ROS production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in macrophages. Furthermore, ATX was found to be more effective in superoxide radical scavenging activities compared to ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. These findings are expected to strengthen the position of ATX as anti-inflammatory medicine and antioxidant.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2010

This study was investigated to analyze the contents of flavonoid compounds and the effects of fermentation on the physiological activities of medical plants, also known as SanYa (SY). Antioxidative activity of the fermented SanYa (FSY) was measured by using DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activity. DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activity of FSY were 94.3% and 45.0%, respectively. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis was increased 11 times through the addition of FSY. However, NO production of the macrophages RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was reduced to 56% through the addition of FSY. FSY showed fibrinolytic activity and indicated about 69.8% and 73.7% of xanthine oxidase and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activities, respectively. These results suggested that FSY plays a significant role in fibrinolytic activity and have strong xanthine oxidase and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activities.