• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.1205-1210
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• 2012

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Ligustrum ovalifolium H. (LOH) leaf extracts on RAW264.7 macrophages. Cell toxicity was determined by MTT assay. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of LOH extracts by measuring nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducible NOS (iNOS) production, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by Western blotting. LOH ethanolic extracts (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/mL) significantly suppressed LPS-stimulated production of NO. The intracellular ROS level also significantly decreased. LOH ethanolic extracts reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. The present results show that LOH ethanol extract has potent anti-inflammatory effects on RAW264.7 macrophages. These results also suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of LOH extracts may be related to the inhibition of LPS-stimulated ROS and NO production. Therefore, ethanolic extracts of LOH leaves may be utilized as a good source of functional foods for protection against inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2017

As a part of ongoing research to elucidate and characterize antiinflammatory nutraceuticals, the crude extracts from Atriplex gmelinii C. A. Mey. and their solvent-partitioned fractions were tested for their antiinflammatory potential in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. The crude extracts of A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. were fractioned according to polarity with n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH), n-butanol, and $H_2O$. Their antiinflammatory activities were investigated in LPS-induced inflammation in mouse macrophages by measuring nitric oxide (NO) generation and mRNA expression of inflammation mediators, namely, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), and IL-6. As a result, we confirmed that the crude extracts of A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 as important inflammatory factors. The inhibition of NO production through the downregulation of important inflammatory factors such as iNOS, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 was found by treatment with all solvent-partitioned fractions. Among all tested fractions, 85% aq. MeOH showed the strongest antiinflammatory response. Based on the current results, A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. was suggested to possess natural antiinflammatory components, indicating that it could be used as a valuable source of antiinflammatory substances.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.441-449
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• 2013

This study was conducted to select some useful plants as functional material candidates. A total of 38 plants were preliminarily screened for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The preliminarily selected 8 plants were further investigated to verify the in vitro inhibitory effect on inflammation and oxidative stress. Boehmeria platanifolia (root), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), whereas Boehmeria platanifolia (root) and Prunus yedoensis (branch) inhibited the transcription of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). Treatment with the extracts ($2.5{\sim}20{\mu}g/ml$) of Abutilon theophrasti (leaf, flower/seed) and Hemistepta lyrata (stem) did not show toxicity on RAW 264.7 cell proliferation, but treatment with $2.5{\mu}g/ml$ of Boehmeria platanifolia (root) exhibited cell toxicity. Carpinus coreana (branch) and Prunus yedoensis (branch) showed potent scavenging activities on peroxynitrite. Akebia quinata (flower), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Prunus yedoensis (branch) effectively inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS). Abutilon theophrasti (leaf), Boehmeria platanifolia (root), Carpinus coreana (branch), and Eupatorium japonicum (leaf) exhibited strong inhibitory capacity with regard to nitric oxide (NO) production. The results suggested that Abutilon theophrasti (leaf) has in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and that is a useful functional material candidate.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.801-809
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• 2015

Homotypic cell adhesion (homotypic aggregation) in activated monocytes plays a central role in physiological and pathological processes including inflammatory responses, differentiation and migration. The extract of the Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc. fruit (Maesil) has potential benefits to human health; such as anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities. Indeed, Maesil extract may modulate inflammatory responses via interference with homotypic aggregation in monocytes. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic efficacy of Maesil extract in inflammatory diseases were investigated. It was found that Maesil extract inhibited homotypic aggregation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes. This was mediated by reduction of nitric oxide (NO) production, partly via inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-activated THP-1 cells. It was confirmed that NO inhibition is a key mechanism in Maesil induced blockade of monocyte aggregation through identification of reversal of this inhibitory effect by the NO-producing agent S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP). In addition, Maesil extract significantly attenuated LPS-induced IκB-α phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation into the nucleus. In conclusion, Maesil extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of homotypic aggregation of LPS-activated monocytes through mechanisms involving the suppression of NO production and NF-κB activity, suggesting Maesil extract as a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1096-1103
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• 2019

Neuroinflammation is mediated by the activation of microglia and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Therefore, the inhibition of neuroinflammation may be an effective solution to treat these brain disorders. Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis is an insect belonging to the order Coleoptera and inhabits Korea, China, Japan and Siberia. P. brevitarsis seulensis is an edible insect that can be consumed as a protein source for humans. It has been reported that P. brevitarsis seulensis contains useful bioactive substances for hepatoprotection and improving blood circulation, such as indole alkaloids. Microglia cells are the main source of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in the central nervous system, which Perform neuroimmune, inflammatory, and other neurobilogical functions. In this study, we investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of P. brevitarsis seulensis ethanol extract (PBE) in activated microglia cells treated with lipopolysaccgarude (LPS, 100 ng/ml). As a result, PBE significantly inhibited NO production without cytotoxicity and decreased the expression levels of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, the production of inflammatory cytokine secreted by LPS was also reduced by PBE. These results suggest that PBE could be a good source of functional substances to prevent neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1078-1084
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• 2020

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis is an insect belonging to the order Coleoptera. This insect is reported to contain large amounts of physiologically active substances useful for liver protective effect and improvements in blood circulation as well as a broad source of edible protein. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are found in a variety of species, from microorganisms to mammals, and play an important role in the innate immune systems of living things. Microglia are the main source of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in the central nervous system. Activated microglia secrete large amounts of neuroinflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-α, NO, and ROS), which are the main cause of neuronal cell death. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Protaetiamycine 6 (PKARKLQKLSAYKTTLRN-NH2), an AMP derived from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, on LPS-induced neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia. Protaetiamycine 6 significantly inhibited NO production without cytotoxicity and decreased the expression levels of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, Protaetiamycine 6 also reduced the production of neuroinflammatory cytokines on activated BV-2 microglia. These results suggest that Protaetiamycine 6 could be a good source of functional substance to prevent neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2018

In this study, the inflammation of ethanol extracts from Caryopteris incana (CI) and fermented C. incana (FCI) on induced to lipopolysaccharide with Raw 264.7 cell was tested. The composition profile of L. plantarum was changed by fermentation, and confirmed by HPLC analysis. We performed the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol]-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay to evaluate the toxicity of CI and FCI extracts. In cell viability, cell toxicity was not shown at 5, 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$ of CI extracts and 10, 20, 30 and $40{\mu}g/mL$ of FCI extracts. The results of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein production were confirmed to be inhibitory in a concentration-dependent manner, respectively. Additionally, protein expression of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ by CI and FCI extracts were also inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. In the result of pro-inflammatory cytokine, $15{\mu}g/mL$ concentration of CI extracts was showed tumar necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ (57.3%), interleukin (IL)-6 (35.2%), and $IL-1{\beta}$ (48.0%), respectively. And $40{\mu}g/mL$ of FCI extracts was showed $TNF-{\alpha}$ (34.6%), IL-6 (32.1%), and $IL-1{\beta}$ (30.0%), respectively. These results suggest that FCI extracts showed better effect of anti-inflammatory than CI extracts. Therefore, it was found that both CI and FCI can be used as an excellent material for the development of new anti-inflammatory resource.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2012

Bee venom (BV) has been used in medicine to treat a variety of diseases including arthritis, rheumatism, and various cancers. Recent reports indicate that BV has anti-angiogenic effects, but the precise molecular mechanism underlying the effects of BV against colorectal cancer remains to be elucidated. We examined the effects of BV and its major components (melittin and apamin) on tumor angiogenesis and found that BV significantly decreased protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), an important factor involved in angiogenesis and tumor progression, in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells. BV also suppressed the transcription of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ under hypoxia, leading to a decrease in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major target gene of HIF-$1{\alpha}$. We also found that these effects were mainly elicited by apamin, but not melittin. BV specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without changing the total levels of this protein, but had no effect on kinases of p38/JNK and AKT. Our results suggest that BV may inhibit human colorectal cancer progression and angiogenesis by inhibiting HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and VEGF expression, thereby providing a novel potential mechanism for the anticancer action of BV.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2009

Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major catechin in green tea, and has shown antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and cell cycle pertubation activity in various tumor models. Hypoxia can be induced because angiogenesis is insufficient for highly proliferating cancer. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1$\alpha$ (HIF-1$\alpha$) and its downstream target, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are important for angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine how hypoxia could cause changes in the cellular phenomena and microenvironment in a non-small cell culture system and to examine the effects of EGCG on a HIF-1$\alpha$ and VEGF in A549 cell line. Methods: A549 cells, a non-small cell lung cancer cell line, were cultured with DMEM and 10% fetal bovine serum. A decrease in oxygen tension was induced using a hypoxia microchamber and a $CO_2-N_2$ gas mixture. Gas analysis and a MTT assay were performed. The A549 cells were treated with EGCG (0, 12.5, 25, 50 ${\mu}mol/L$), and then examined by real-time-PCR analysis of HIF-1$\alpha$, VEGF, and $\beta$-actin mRNA. Results: Hypoxia reduced the proliferation of A549 cells from normoxic conditions. EGCG inhibited HIF-1$\alpha$ transcription in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to HIF-1$\alpha$, VEGF was not inhibited by EGCG. Conclusion: HIF-1$\alpha$ can be inhibited by EGCG. This suggests that targeting HIF-1$\alpha$ with a EGCG treatment may have therapeutic potential in non-small cell lung cancers.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.3 s.19
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• pp.191-199
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• 2005

Background: Though infections of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are closely associated with activation of host angiogenesis, the underlying mechanisms, as well as the strategy for its prevention, have not been identified. Here, we investigated a causal role of H. pylori infection in angiogenesis of gastric mucosa and a potent inhibitory effect of a gastric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on the gastropathy. Materials and Methods: A comparative analysis of CD 34 expression in tissues obtained from 20 H. pylori-associated gastritis and 18 H. pylori-negative gastritis patients was performed. Expression of $HIF-1{\alpha}$ and VEGF were tested by using RT-PCR. To evaluate the direct effect of H. pylori infection on differentiation of endothelial HUVEC cells, we carried out an in vitro angiogenesis assay. Results: H. pyfori-associated gastritis tissues showed significantly higher density of $CD34^+$ blood vessels than did H. pylori-negative gastritis tissues, and the levels were well correlated with expressions of $HIF-1{\alpha}$. Conditioned media from H. pylori-infected gastric mucosal cells stimulated a tubular formation of HUVEC cells. We also found a significant inhibitory effect of PPI, an agent frequently used for H. pylori eradication, on H. pylori-induced angiogenesis. This drug effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of MAP kinase ERK1/2, which is a principal signal for H. pylori-induced angiogenesis. Conclusion: The fact that PPls can down-regulate H. pylori-induced angiogenesis suggest that anti-angiogenic treatment using PPI may be a preventive approach for H. pylori-associated carcinogenesis.