• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.206-213
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of mangiferin isolated from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, a natural polyphenol, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Mangiferin dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ productions in RAW 264.7 macrophages and peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Consistent with these data, mangiferin suppressed the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein and mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. In addition, the release of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the mRNA expression levels of these cytokines were reduced by mangiferin in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mangiferin effectively inhibited the transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-kappa B $(NF-{\kappa}B)$. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of mangiferin are caused by iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 down-regulation due to $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ inhibition in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2018

In this study, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis purified from honeybee hives, on photothrombotic cortical ischemic injury in mice. Permanent focal ischemia was achieved in the medial frontal and somatosensory cortices of anesthetized male C57BL/6 mice by irradiation of the skull with cold light laser in combination with systemic administration of rose bengal. The animals were treated with CAPE (0.5-5 mg/kg, i.p.) twice 1 and 6 h after ischemic insult. CAPE significantly reduced the infarct size as well as the expression of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, hypoxiainducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, $interleukin-1{\alpha}$, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in the cerebral cortex ipsilateral to the photothrombosis. Moreover, it induced an increase in heme oxygenase-1 immunoreactivity and interleukin-10 expression. These results suggest that CAPE exerts a remarkable neuroprotective effect on ischemic brain injury via its anti-inflammatory properties, thereby providing a benefit to the therapy of cerebral infarction.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2005

'SecSec' has been used for the purpose of prevention and treatment of throat diseases such as sore throat, cough, bronchial asthma and allergic asthma in Korea. However, its effect in experimental models remains unknown. To investigate the biological effect of SecSec, we examined cytotoxicity and secretion of inflammatory cytokines on human leukemic mast cell line, HMC-1, stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187. SecSec by itself had no cytotoxicity on HMC-1. When SecSec (1 mg/ml) was added, the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha $(TNF-{\alpha})$, interleukin (IL)-6, and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was significantly inhibited about 47.20%, 25.55%, and 46.43%, respectively on PMA plus A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. But SecSec did not inhibit IL-8 secretion. These findings may help understanding the mechanism of action of this medicine leading to control activated mast cells on allergic inflammatory condition like asthma.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2009

In our previous report, we showed that $PPAR{\gamma}$ does not influence adipogenesis in females with functioning ovaries, indicating that $PPAR{\gamma}$ activity on adipogenesis is associated with sex-related factors. Among the sex-related factors, estrogen has been recognized as a major factor in inhibiting adiposgenesis in females. Thus, we hypothensized that $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E) inhibits 3T3-L1 cell adipogenesis by preventing $PPAR{\gamma}$ activity. E decreased triglyceirde accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells compared with control group. E also decreased the expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA as well as $PPAR{\gamma}$ dependent adipocyte-specific genes, such as adipocyte fatty acid binding protein and tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$. In addition, E not only decreased luciferase reporter activity by $PPAR{\gamma}$, but also transfection of estrogen receptor $\alpha$ ($ER{\alpha}$) or $ER{\beta}$ led to decreases in $PPAR{\gamma}$ reporter gene activation. Moreover, E-activated ERs significantly decreased the luciferase reporter gene activation induced by $PPAR{\gamma}$ transfection, suggesting that estrogen-activated ERs inhibit $PPAR{\gamma}$-dependent transactivation. Accordingly, our results demonstrate that E inhibits the action of $PPAR{\gamma}$ on adipogenesis through E activated ER, providing evidence that lack of estrogen may potentiate $PPAR{\gamma}$ action on adipogenesis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.484-489
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• 2013

Piperlonguminine (PL), an important component of Piper longum fruits, is known to exhibit anti-hyperlipidemic, antiplatelet and anti-melanogenic activities. Here, the anticoagulant activities of PL were examined by monitoring activated-partial-thromboplastin-time (aPTT), prothrombin-time (PT), and the activities of thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). The effects of PL on the expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were also tested in tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) activated HUVECs. The results showed that PL prolonged aPTT and PT significantly and inhibited the activities of thrombin and FXa. PL inhibited the generation of thrombin and FXa in HUVECs. In accordance with these anticoagulant activities, PL prolonged in vivo bleeding time and inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$ induced PAI-1 production. Furthermore, PAI-1/t-PA ratio was significantly decreased by PL. Collectively, our results suggest that PL possesses antithrombotic activities and that the current study could provide bases for the development of new anticoagulant agents.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2014

Pyunkang-hwan (Pyunkang-tang) extract (PGT) is a traditional folk medicine for controlling diverse pulmonary diseases including bronchitis, tonsiltis and pneumonitis. We investigated whether PGT significantly affects secretion, production and gene expression of airway mucin using in vivo and in vitro experimental models reflecting the hypersecretion and/or hyperproduction of mucus observed in inflammatory pulmonary diseases. For in vivo experiment, effect of PGT was checked on hypersecretion of pulmonary mucin in sulfur dioxide-induced bronchitis in rats. For in vitro experiment, confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with PGT for 30 min and then stimulated with EGF (epidermal growth factor), PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) for 24 h. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. The results were as follows: (1) PGT inhibited the expression of MUC5AC mucin gene induced by EGF, PMA or TNF-${\alpha}$ from NCI-H292 cells, respectively; (2) PGT also inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by the same inducers from NCI-H292 cells, respectively; (3) PGT inhibited secretion of mucin in sulfur dioxide-induced bronchitis rat model. This result suggests that PGT can regulate secretion, production and gene expression of airway mucin.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2012

Aim: Historically, mineral compound herbal medicines have long been used in treatments of immune-related diseases in Korea, China and other Asian countries. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of egg white combined with chalcanthite (IS4) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: RAW 264.7 cells cultured with LPS and various concentrations of IS4 were analyzed to determine the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators by using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assays (ELISAs). Results: IS4 concentration inhibited the production of interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induced by LPS. IS4 at high concentrations (25 and 50 ${\mu}g/ml$) inhibited, in concentration-dependent manner, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) stimulated by LPS. Conclusion: IS4 has shown an anti-inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.44-58
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• 2010

Silibinin is the major active molecule of silymarin, the mixture of flavonolignans extracted from Cirsium japonicum (CJ). It has been used for treatment of hepatitis and inflammation related diseases. The aim of this study was to prove whether Silibinin has effectiveness for allergic inflammation. Silibinin processes the inflammatory reaction in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMA plus A23187) stimulated human mast cell line (HMC-1). Its effect was examined by ELISA, RT-PCR, Western blot, and Luciferase assay. The results were Silibinin inhibited the expression of histamine, TNF-$\alpha$ (tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$), IL-6 (interleukin-6), and IL-8 (interleukin-8). Silibinin suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ (nuclear factor kappa B) activation in stimulated HMC-1 (human mast cell-1). This effect was mediated through inhibition of phosphorylation and degradation of $IkB{\alpha}$, an inhibitor of NF-kB. Silibinin significantly inhibited induction of NF-kB promoter mediated Luciferase assay. These results suggest that Silibinin has a potential molecule for therapy of mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory diseases.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.341-348
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• 2018

The polyherbal drug Gyeongshingangjeehwan 18 (GGEx18) from Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae), Laminaria japonica Aresch (Laminariaceae), and Ephedra sinica Stapf (Ephedraceae) has traditionally been used as an antiobesity drug in Korean local clinics. This study investigates the effects of GGEx18 on pancreatic fibroinflammation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese C57BL/6J mice and the molecular mechanism involved in this process. After HFD-fed obese C57BL/6J mice were treated with GGEx18 (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) for 12 weeks, variables and determinants of obesity, pancreatic inflammation, and fibrosis were measured using histology, immunohistochemistry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Administration of GGEx18 at 500 mg/kg/day to obese mice decreased body weight gain, mesenteric adipose tissue mass, and adipocyte size. GGEx18 treatment not only reduced mast cells and CD68-immunoreactive cells, but also decreased collagen levels and ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin-positive cells in the pancreas of HFD-fed mice. Concomitantly, GGEx18 decreased the expression of genes for inflammation (i.e., CD68 and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$) and fibrosis (i.e., collagen ${\alpha}1$ and transforming growth factor ${\beta}$) in the pancreas of obese mice. These results suggest that GGEx18 may inhibit visceral obesity and related pancreatic fibroinflammation in HFD-fed obese mice.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2018

Objectives : Coronary and cerebrovascular disease with high mortality is a major factor in arteriosclerosis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines damage vascular endothelial cells, leading to vascular inflammation. These vascular inflammation can build up cholesterol and thrombus to cause atherosclerosis. Methods : In this study, we researched the effect of ChungHyul-Plus for vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$). Change in mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (CCL5, CXCL8, CX3CL1, and MCP-1), cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1), and anti-inflammation modulators (KLF2 and eNOS) were quantified by qRT-PCR. Results : ChungHyul-Plus decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules and increased anti-inflammation modulators expression in $TNF-{\alpha}$ stimulated HUVECs. Conclusions : These results suggest that ChungHyul-Plus can be used in the treatment and prevention of vascular inflammation and arteriosclerosis.