• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.268-274
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immuno-stimulatory activity of the high-molecular-weight fraction (HMWF) of Cynanchum wilfordii (CW) extracts obtained by ultrafiltration in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and to assess its immuno-stimulatory effect in mice. Ultrafiltration was performed with polyethersulfone membranes (30 kDa cutoff) in a cross-flow filtration system to obtain the HMWF of CW. The results showed that the HMWF increased the production of various cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, and nitric oxide in dose-ependent manners. In addition, HMWF treatment increased the relative spleen weight as well as splenocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A or bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice. Natural killer (NK) cell activity in the HMWF-treated group was significantly increased compared to that in the control group. These results suggest that the HMWF of CW can support the immune system through secretion of macrophage cytokines, thereby enhancing NK cell activity and murine splenocyte proliferation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.179-188
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• 2016

This study is aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Gastrodiae rhizoma and steamed, dried & fermented Gastrodiae rhizoma on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic injury in the mice model. Sample was selected to GR0F0 (not processed gastrodia rhizome) and GR6F4 (fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae before steamed and dried 6 times) based on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, and High-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups - Normal group, vehicle group (LPS treated), GR0F0 group (fed GR0F0 before LPS treated) and GR6F4 group (fed GR6F4 before LPS treated) with 6 mice in each group. GR0F0 group and GR6F4 group were fed each extract 200 mg/kg/day during 8 days. LPS 20 mg/kg injected to the experimental groups as abdominal injection. We measured aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino-transferase in serum. GR0F0 and GR6F4 showed a significant decrease compared to the vehicle group. As a result of measuring the ROS, GR6F4 group showed a significant reduction in both the serum and liver tissues compared to the vehicle group. GR0F0 group showed a significant reduction only in the liver tissues. Activator protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and Inducible nitric oxide synthase were significantly decreased GR0F0 group and GR6F4 group. But tumor necrosis factor alpha only showed a significant reduction in GR6F4 group. GR0F0 and GR6F4 groups against liver damage in mice with LPS. That showed significant effects on anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action. The effects of GR6F4 group showed superior results compared to GR0F0 group. Therefore, Steamed, dried & fermented Gastrodia rhizoma was might have a protective effect on liver injury.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2013

Kyungokgos purchased in local markets in Korea vary in their combination and mixing ratios during processing. This study was investigated qualities of Kyungokgos manufactured traditionally to evaluating its qualities. The general components of Kyungokgos were moisture (18.62~49.78%), ash (0.198~1.211%), protein (0.89~3.58%), lipid (0.16~1.14%) and carbohydrates (47.95~77.08%). The color values of L, a, and b were 26.49~73.87, 16.51~38.64, and 45.41~88.94, respectively. The viscosity was classified into three non-Newtonian type groups: high, medium, and non-dilatant, according to the increase of loop execution times. Three extracts (KOG-1, -7, and -8, in a 30-fold dilution) showed no cytotoxicity toward RAW 264.7 cells, while the extracts of KOG-2, -4, and -5 showed a low cytotoxic effect. KOG-1 and -2 extracts with low cytotoxicity markedly inhibited the production of the inflammatory mediators-nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate that KOG-1 and -2 extracts have anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study is to report the efficacy of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor alpha which is used for both treatment of refractory pediatric Crohn disease (CD) and induction of remission. Methods: Among pediatric patients who were diagnosed with CD at Samsung Medical Center between March 2001 and August 2007, a total of 16 patients were given infliximab to treat conventional therapyresistant refractory CD and severe active CD for induction of remission. Patients needing maintenance therapy were treated with an infliximab infusion every 8 weeks, and fistulizing CD patients occasionally received the infusion upon the condition that a fistula developed. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by comparing the Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (PCDAI), Hct, ESR, CRP, and serum albumin levels using paired t-test. Results: The male/female ratio was 13:3, and the median age was 13 years (range, 21 months~15 years). The patients included 7 cases of therapy-resistant refractory CD, 7 cases of severe active CD, and 2 cases of fistulizing CD. Mean PCDAI before infliximab therapy was 34.19${\pm}$14.96, and mean follow-up PCDAI within 2 to 4 weeks after the last infusion was significantly lower, at 6.88${\pm}$10.31 (p=0.000). Hematological markers such as ESR (p=0.000), serum albumin (p=0.016), and CRP (p=0.009) also improved significantly after infusion. Remission was achieved in 2 of 4 patients refractory to conventional therapy. Among 3 steroid-dependent patients, 2 were able to discontinue steroid therapy, and dose reduction was possible in 1 patient. Remission after top-down therapy without prior use of other immunomodulators was achieved in 6 weeks in all 7 of the patients who had severe CD. Nine of ten refractory fistulizing CD patients also showed improvement after infliximab therapy. Conclusion: Infliximab was effective in pediatric refractory CD for induction of remission and maintenance therapy, as well as in severe CD for top-down induction therapy. Furthermore, infliximab has contributed to steroid cessation and dose reduction. Long-term follow-up evaluation is needed to determine safety and efficacy of infliximab in the future.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.363-372
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• 2017

Hypericum ascyron has long been used as medicinal plant and recent studies reported that H. ascyron has anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial effects. In this study, inhibitory effect from H. ascyron on pro-inflammatory responses has been investigated. H. ascyron was extracted at optimal extraction condition. Total phenolic contents in water and 90% ethanol were 29.75 and 31.82 mg/g, respectively. Hyaluronidase inhibitory activity of H. ascyron extracts ($50-200{\mu}g/mL$ phenolics) was 0.00-14.81% and 15.33-47.49%, respectively. In cell viability, cell toxicity was shown at concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$ and $30{\mu}g/mL$ of water and 90% ethanol extract. Therefore, $10-50{\mu}g/mL$ in water extracts and $5-20{\mu}g/mL$ in ethanol extracts was selected each for further study. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) derived nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-derived prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) protein expression inhibitory effect of extracts were inhibited in a dose dependent manner, significantly. Also, the pro-inflammatory cytokines inhibitory effect such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, nterleukin (IL)-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ were decreased in the dose dependent manner. The results indicate that H. ascyron extracts reduced inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-induced 264.7 cells via the regulation of the iNOS, COX-2, NO, $PGE_2$, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, H. ascyron extracts have significant anti-inflammatory effect and a source as therapeutic materials.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.851-859
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• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate whether ethanol extracts of Sophora flavescens (GS), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GC), Dictamnus dasycarpus (BSP), and their mixtures (GGB-1, -2, -3, and -4) inhibit 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in a mouse model. DNCB was topically applied on the dorsal surface of Balb/c mice to induce AD-like skin lesions. The pathological phenotypes of AD, such as erythema, ear thickness, edema, scabs, and discharge, were significantly decreased in the GGB (DNCB + GS:GC:BSP = 3:1:1 mixture)-1-treated groups compared with the other treated groups. The weight of the spleen in immune organs was significantly decreased in the GGB-1-treated groups, whereas the weight of the liver in a control group was similar to that of the groups treated with the samples. Furthermore, toluidine blue staining analysis, a method used to specifically identify mast cells, showed that master cell infiltration into the dermis of the GGB-1-treated group was significantly decreased. The immunoglobulin E concentration was lower in the GGB-1-treated group. In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines (interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin-1, 4, 5, 6, and 13, $1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were also significantly reduced in the GGB-1-treated group. Taken together, these results suggest that a mixture of GS, GC, and BSP in a proportion of 3:1:1 (GGB-1) may contribute to the relief of AD symptoms and may be considered an excellent candidate for an AD therapeutic drug.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1263-1270
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of green tea product (GTP) on the risk factors of atherosclerosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Sprague-Dewley female rats (10 weeks) weighing approximately $279{\pm}2g$ were divided into 4 groups: sham operated control group treated with high cholesterol diet (Sham-C), OVX control group treated with high cholesterol diet (OVX-C), OVX-G 5% group treated with high cholesterol containing 5% GTP and OVX-G 20% group treated with high cholesterol diet containing 20% GTP. Serum TG concentrations was lower in OVX-G 20% group than in the OVX-C group, whereas ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol (%) was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the 20% GTP supplementation group than in the Sham-C and OVX-C groups. Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ levels were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the OVX-G 20% group. Hepatic TG levels were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in OVX-G 20% group than in the other groups. Glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activities including glutathione-reductase and Mn-superoxide dismutase in liver were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the OVX-G 20% group in the OVX-C group. Fecal total cholesterol concentrations were increased in the GTP supplementation groups than in the OVX-C group. From the above results, it is concluded that GTP may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis via hypolipidemic action. Therefore, it may be used to possibly improve the hyperlipemia in menopausal women.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2007

Purpose: Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extract is one of the most widely used agents in alternative cancer therapeutic regimens in Europe. This study was conducted to determine the effect of mistletoe extract on immune function in gastric cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Ten patients that had undergone a curative gastrectomy were enrolled in the prospective study. ABNOBAviscum $Q^{(R)}$ was injected subcutaneously three times a week from postoperative-day 7 to week 16 with an increasing dose. All of the patients simultaneously received chemotheraphy with mitomycin, oral 5-FU and a cisplatin regimen. The WBC count, differential count, lymphocyte/WBC ratio and the level of cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$) were checked in the peripheral blood preoperatively, at postoperative week 8 and at postoperative week 16. Results: The WBC and neutrophil counts significantly decreased after treatment on week 8 and week 16 (P=0.001), but the total eosinophil count was slightly increased (P=0.15). The total lymphocyte count also decreased during treatment but the lymphocyte/WBC ratio was slightly increased without statistical significance (P=0.91). The cytokine levels did not significantly change during treatment. Conclusion: It is somewhat difficult to determine the direct effect of mistletoe therapy on immune function as the effect may be compromised by the concurrent chemotherapy. It can be assumed that the slightly increased lymphocyte/WBC ratio and eosinophil count may be a result of the immunomodulatory effect of the mistletoe extract.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.631-640
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• 2014

The inhibitory effects of Boswellia serrata (BW) extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis were investigated in primary-cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. To identify the protective effects of BW extract against $H_2O_2$ ($800{\mu}M$, 2 hr) in vitro, cell survival was measured by MTT assay. Cell survival after $H_2O_2$ treatment was elevated by BW extract at a concentration of $20{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, BW extract treatment significantly reduced and normalized the productions of pro-inflammatory factors, nuclear transcription factor ${\kappa}B$, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 at a concentration of $20{\mu}g/mL$. Treatment of chondrocytes with BW extract significantly reduced 5-lipoxygenase activity and production of prostaglandin E2, especially at a concentration of $10{\sim}20{\mu}g/mL$. For the in vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats. Consumption of a diet containing BW extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 35 days significantly inhibited the development and severity of osteoarthritis in rats. To determine the genetic expression of arthritic factors in articular cartilage, real-time PCR was applied to measure matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13), collagen type I, collagen type II, and aggrecan, and BW extract had protective effects at a concentration of 200 mg/kg. In conclusion, BW extract was able to inhibit articular cartilage degeneration by preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury. One can consider that BW extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulatory activities of proteoglycan extracted from cultured mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum IY009. The proteoglycan contained two polymer peaks, one was the higher MW peak of 2,000 kD and the other was low peaks of 12kD. To understand the part of strong pharmaceutical activity between two peak, the proteoglycan was separated by ultrafiltration and column chromatography and then examined the various pharmaceutical effects. High molecular weight fraction possesing high content of ${\beta}-linked$ glucan was exhibited high antitumor activity, against sarcoma 180 bearing ICR mouse. And also, anticomplementary activity was highly observed in high molecule fraction than low it fraction. When the raw 264.7 and murine peritoneal macrophage treated with low fraction, high fraction and other stimuli. The activities inducing tumor necrosis factor of the high factions were $2.2{\sim}2.5$ times stronger than that of low fraction.