• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.23.1-23.16
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• 2023

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder (FBD). Objectives: To assess the therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin (PF) on IBS in rats. Method: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal, model, positive drug, low-dose PF, medium-dose PF and high-dose PF groups (n = 10). After gavage for 2 consecutive weeks, the effect of PF on abdominal pain symptoms was assessed based on the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score, fecal water content and pathological changes in colon tissues. D-lactate, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (p-NF-κB) p65 was detected by Western blotting. The abundance and diversity changes of intestinal flora were explored using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Result: In PF groups, the mucosal morphology of colon tissues was intact, and the glands were arranged neatly and structured clearly, without obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group, PF groups had significantly elevated pain threshold, and mRNA and protein levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, decreased AWR score at 20 mmHg pressure, fecal water content, mRNA levels of IL-1β, TGF-β, and TNF-α, protein level of p-NF-κB p65 and level of serum D-lactate, and reduced levels of serum IL-1β, TGF-β, and TNF-α (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). PF groups had higher abundance of Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Alistipes, and Bacteroides, but lower abundance of Desulfovibrio, Parasutterella, and Enterococcus than those of the model group. Conclusions: PF exerts therapeutic effects on IBS in rats probably by regulating the intestinal flora, and then up-regulating the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in colon tissue while down-regulating the levels of IL-1β, TGF-β, TNF-α, D-lactate and p-NF-κB p65.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.341-346
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• 2004

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or its mRNA expression are increased in acute nephrosis of various types including ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study was undertaken to determine whether pentoxifylline (PTX), an inhibitor of TNF-α production, provides a protective effect against hypoxia-induced cell injury in rabbit renal cortical slices. To induce hypoxia-induced cell injury, renal cortical slices were exposed to 100% N₂ atmosphere. Control slices were exposed to 100% O₂ atmosphere. The cell injury was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and p-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake. Exposure of slices to hypoxia increased the LDH release in a time-dependent manner. However, when slices were exposed to hypoxia in the presence of PTX, the LDH release was decreased. The protective effect of PTX was dose-dependent over the concentrations of 0.05∼1 mM. Hypoxia did not increase lipid peroxidation, whereas an organic hydroperoxide t-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation. PTX did not affect tBHP-induced lipid peroxidation. Hypoxia decreased PAH uptake, which was significantly attenuated by PTX and glycine. tBHP-induced inhibition of PAH uptake was not altered by PTX, although it was prevented by antioxidant deferoxarnine. The PAH uptake by slices in rabbits with ischemic acute renal failure was prevented by PTX pretreatment. These results suggest that PTX may exert a protective effect against hypoxia-induced cell injury and its effect may due to inhibition of the TNF-α production, but not by its antioxidant action.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.441-448
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• 2021

This study was designed to investigate the intracellular signaling pathways and immunoenhancing effect of macrophage activation by crude polysaccharides (CPP) extracted from citrus peels. CPP did not affect the cytotoxicity of RAW264.7 cells, but showed dose-dependent effects on cell viability. Also, CPP showed high production of chemokine (nitric oxide (NO)) and cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α). CPP increased IL-6, TNF-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression dose-dependently. CPP also strongly induced the phosphorylation of the ERK, p38, and IκBα pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. In anti-pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) experiments, the effect of CPP on NO production was strongly suppressed by neutralizing toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, and Dectin1 antibodies, whereas IL-6 and TNF-α production by CPP was mainly suppressed by mannose receptor (MR). Therefore, these results suggest that CPP treatment-induced NO production was regulated by the ERK, p38, and NF-κB pathways through TLR2, TLR4, and Dectin1 receptors, whereas IL-6 and TNF-α production was primarily regulated by the ERK, p38, and NF-κB pathways through MR receptors.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2023

Sargassum horneri (SH), a brown macroalgae, has medicinal properties. The present study investigated the immune-enhancing effects of SH extract on peritoneal macrophages (PM). The SH significantly increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) in PM. It was confirmed that SH significantly increased NO expression through the increase of iNOS protein expression, which is the up-regulation pathway. Additionally, it was determined if SH activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, an upper regulatory mechanism that influences TNF-α, IL-6, and NO expression. Consequently, SH significantly increased the phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), all of which are MAPK pathway proteins. Moreover, the immune-enhancing effects of SH on another macrophage cell line, bone marrow-derived macrophages were investigated. It was observed that SH significantly enhanced TNF-α, IL-6, and NO production. Overall, this study demonstrates the immune-enhancing effects of SH on macrophages via activated MAPK pathway. Therefore, it suggests that SH has the potential to improve immunological activity in various macrophage cell lines and can be useful as an immune-enhancing treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.525-530
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• 2015

Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a pathogenic role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and is thus a potential target for the development of therapeutics for this disease. Here, we demonstrated that Wnt5a antagonized β-catenin response transcription (CRT) induced with Wnt3a by promoting β-catenin phosphorylation at Ser33/Ser37/Thr41 and its subsequent degradation in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Wnt5a decreased the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), which was up-regulated by Wnt3a. Furthermore, Wnt5a increased E-cadherin expression and decreased cell migration by down-regulating Snail expression, thereby abrogating the Wnt3a-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human RPE cells. Our findings suggest that Wnt5a suppresses the pathogenic effects of canonical Wnt signaling in human RPE cells by promoting β-catenin phosphorylation and degradation. Therefore, Wnt5a has significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of AMD. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(9): 525-530]

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.659-665
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• 2020

Adenophorae Radix (AR) has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases. However, the regulatory mechanisms of AR in allergic inflammation are not yet understood. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect and mechanisms of AR on the mast cell-mediated allergic response. To determine the pharmacological mechanisms of AR in allergic inflammation, we evaluated the effects of AR on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and IL-8 as well as the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and caspase-1 in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1). Our results demonstrated that AR effectively attenuated the PMACI-induced production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-8 in stimulated HMC-1. Additionally, we showed that the inhibitory effect of AR on inflammatory cytokines in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells involved the suppression of the activation NF-kB/caspase-1 in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence that AR may be a useful candidate for the treatment of allergic inflammation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by severe inflammation in the colon. Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide. Pu-erh tea, a unique Chinese tea produced by microbial activities, possesses a broad range of health-promoting effects, including anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antioxidation and anti-obesity. However, the inhibitory effect of Pu-erh tea on intestinal inflammation and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. The present study was designed to evaluate the regulatory effect of Pu-erh tea extract (PTE) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis clinical signs by analyzing the weight loss and colon length in mice. The inhibitory effects of PTE on inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were also determined in DSS-treated colitis tissue. We observed that PTE treatment significantly inhibited the DSS-induced clinical symptoms of weight loss, decrease,in colon length, and colon tissue damage in mice. Moreover, PTE attenuated the DSS-induced levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in colon tissue. We also demonstrated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PTE by suppressing the activation of NF-κB in DSS-treated colon tissues. Collectively, the findings provide experimental evidence that PTE may be effective in preventing and treatment of intestinal inflammatory disorders, including UC.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.503-509
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• 2021

Marine sources as potential treatment options for various diseases have been a subject of growing interest. However, information on the anti-inflammatory mechanism employed by Undaria pinnatifida (UP) remains limited. The present study was conducted to investigate the mechanisms of UP on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory response. To determine the pharmacological mechanism of UP in inflammatory reaction, we evaluated the effects of UP on interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and caspase-1 activation in calcium ionophore A23187 plus phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated human mast cells-1 (HMC-1). The results showed that UP suppressed IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α production in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, UP significantly attenuated NF-kB/caspase-1 activation in stimulated HMC-1. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence that UP may be a useful candidate for the inflammation-related diseases treatment.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.55-55
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• 2021

Hibiscus hamabo is a deciduous shrub that grows around salt marshes and is considered a semi-mangrove plant found in Asia. There are no studies on the biological activity of H. hamabo except for studies on the anthocyanin content. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of H. hamabo extract (HHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. As nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) induced by LPS moves into the nucleus, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inflammatory cytokines are promoted and the inflammatory reaction begins. The nitric oxide (NO) production decreased by the treatment of HHE. Moreover, mRNA levels of inflammation-related cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, were significantly suppressed by HHE. Similarly, the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 were also decreased. The phosphorylation of p65, a subunit of NF-κB, was suppressed by HHE. As a result, HHE can be used as an effective natural material for the anti-inflammatory agent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3909-3919
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• 2013

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of A ferruginea extract on Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) induced tumours in BALB/c mice. Experimental animals received A ferruginea extract (10 mg/kg.b.wt) intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days after DLA tumor challenge. Treatment with extract significantly increased the life span, total white blood cell (WBC) count and haemoglobin (Hb) content and decreased the level of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (${\gamma}$-GT) and nitric oxide (NO) in DLA bearing ascites tumor models. In addition, administration of extract significantly decreased the tumour volume and body weight in a DLA bearing solid tumor model. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), as well as pro-angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were elevated in solid tumour controls, but significantly reduced by A ferruginea administration. On the other hand, the extract stimulated the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) in animals with DLA induced solid tumours. Increase in $CD4^+$ T-cell population suggested strong immunostimulant activity for this extract. GC/MS and LC/MS analysis showed quinone, quinoline, imidazolidine, pyrrolidine, cyclopentenone, thiazole, pyrazole, catechin and coumarin derivatives as major compounds present in the A ferruginea methanolic extract. Thus, the outcome of the present study suggests that A ferruginea extract has immunomodulatory and tumor inhibitory activities and has the potential to be developed as a natural anticancer agent.