• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2003

The effects of soy-isoflavones, which are phytoestrogens derived from plants with a flavonoid structure, on cyclooxygenase -2 (COX-2) expression, PGE2 production, and mapkinases expression, were investigated in experimentally-induced atherogenic rats by feeding a high fat-high cholesterol diet. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally ovariectomized; sham-operated animals were used as controls. Three weeks later, the animals were randomized to the following treatments for an eight-week experimental period: 17$\beta$-estradiol (200$\mu$ g/kg diet), low concentration of isoflavones (0.8g/kg diet), and high concentration of isoflavones (4.0g/kg diet). In the group supplemented with a high dose of isoflavones, COX-2 expression was down-regulated. This down-regulation was accompanied by a reduced expression of pERK1/2. In the second experiment using 48-week old female Sprague-Dawly rats, the effects of isoflavones and estrogen were compared in the basal estrogen-supplementation at the level of 600$\mu$ g/kg diet. Isoflavones induced the marked down-regulation of COX-2 protein and the decrease in $PGE_2$ production in estrogen supplemented states and this was followed by the down-regulation of p38 among mapkinases. The two different mapkinases are involved in the down-regulation of COX-2 depending on estrogen-deficient and estrogen supplemented states. This kind of COX-2 down-regulation by isoflavones was not observed in the different tissue, mammary glands. Further investigations on the relationship between COX-2 and biological activities such as vasodilation by isoflavonesin the absence or the presence of estrogen ave required in vivo system of female rats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.101-101
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• 2003

Prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible cyclooygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), respectively, have been implicated as important mediators in the process of inflammation and carcinogenesis. On this line, the potential COX-2 or iNOS inhibitors have been considered as anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In our continuing efforts of searching for novel cancer chemopreventive agents from natural products, we isolated natural sesquiterpenoids as potential COX-2 and iNOS inhibitors in cultured lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Alantolactone, a natural eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, exhibited a potent inhibition of COX-2 (IC50 = 0.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) and iNOS activity (IC50 = 0.08 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) in the assay system determined by PGE2 and NO accumulation, respectively. The inhibitory potential of alantolactone on the PGE2 and NO production was well coincided with the suppression of COX-2 and iNOS protein and mRNA expression in LPS-induced macrophages. Furthermore, alantolactone inhibited NF-kB but not AP-l binding activity on nuclear extracts evoked by LPS-stimulated macrophage cells, suggesting the possible involvement of NF-kB in the regulation of COX-2 and iNOS expression. In further study with COX-2-expressing human colon HT-29 cells, alantolactone inhibited the cell proliferation, down-regulated COX-2, and inhibited the ERK phosphorylation in the early time. These results suggest that a natural sesquiterpenoid alantolactone might be a potential lead candidate for further developing COX-2 or iNOS inhibitor possessing cancer chemopreventive or anti-inflammatory activity

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.14-29
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• 2015

Objectives : The extract of Sagunja-tang has been traditionally used for restorative treatment of constitutional weakness, vascular and immune disorder, and nervous disease in Oriental country. This study investigated the regulatory effects of Sagunja-tang on the expression, production, and activity of immune mediators.Methods : In this study, the extract of Sagunja-tang was prepared by extracting with distilled water at 100$^{\circ}C$ for 2.5h. The extract was freeze-dried following filtration through 0.45${{\mu}m}$ filter. The extract was dissolved in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and filtered again through 0.45${{\mu}m}$ filter before use. The level of nitrite, an oxidative product of nitric oxide(NO) was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The levels of prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂), Th1 cytokines (IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-2) and Th2 cytokines(IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Also examined the effects of the extract on T-cell proliferation and cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells.Results : In this investigation, Production levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by treatment with the extract. I also found that the extract increased T-cell proliferation and cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells in a dose-dependent manner.Conculsions : These results suggest that the water extract of Sagunja-tang may be useful for a therapeutic drug against a sickly constitution and immune diseases, probably by regulating the production of immune mediators.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.373-379
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• 2011

Paeoniae Radix Rubra is a preparation consisting of desiccated roots of Paeonia lactiflora PALL (belonging to Ranunculaceae). Paeoniae Radix Rubra is used as a medicinal herb in Asian countries to treat many diseases. Ethanol- or water-based extracts of Paeoniae Radix Rubra were prepared and tested on RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. The expression of some pro-inflammatory proteins, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 was detected by Western blot analyses, while PGE2 expression was quantified by ELISA. Both the water and ethanol extracts of Paeoniae Radix Rubra suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and exhibited cell toxicity in accordance with increased NO production. Also, both extracts reduced the expression of COX-2 and iNOS, and inhibited phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Extracts prepared from Paeoniae Radix Rubra contain anti-inflammatory agents that inhibit the iNOS and MAPK pathways.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2012

Oxidative stress has been implicated in cutaneous damage in various inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of the extract of Duchesnea chrysantha (DCE). DEC was prepared by extracting with 80% ethanol. Total flavonoids and polyphenols were measured by a colorimetric assay. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was analyzed by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and Griess reagent assay. An oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The level of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured by Western blot analysis. Total flavonoid and polyphenol contents of DCE were included $24.73{\pm}0.45$ and $178.77{\pm}2.65$, respectively. DCE significantly increased electron donating ability (DPPH), nitrite scavenging (NO) and ABTS reducing activity in dose dependant. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of DCE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. DCE significantly suppressed NO and prdstaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in dose dependant. Furthermore, the levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were markedly suppressed by the treatment with DCE in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that DEC may has value as natural product with its high quality functional components, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-90
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• 1993

The mechanism by which blastocysts implant to uterine endometrium has not been clearly understood. In the present study, the following question was investigated: how are hormonal levels changed and how is uterine endometrium morphologically changed? Results obtained are as follows: Concentrations of serum estradiol and progesterone were significantly increased on day 4 and 5 of pregnancy. Uterine concentrations of PGE and $PGE_{2a}$ were sharply increased on day 1 and maintained similar concentrations thereafter, reaching the maximum on day 5. Both prostaglandins (PGs) concentrations were gradually decreased thereafter. Furthermore, concentrations of PGs in implant sites were greater than those in non-implant sites. PBR (pontamine blue reaction) in uterine endometrium was positive on day 6 of pregnancy, indicating that vascular permeability was increased. Edema and changes in structure of cell components were pronounced in stroma where PBR was developed. Moreover, these were more prominent in implant sites than non-implant sites. These results suggest that uterine PGs as well as steroid hormones increase during implantation in rats and these hormones might be involved in the process of implantation by modulating vascular permeability and the fine structures of uterine endometrial cells.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.39-43
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• 2008

EMC have a similar enzymatic reaction to cheese, but the EMC produce the stronger flavors than cheese by much more enzymatic reaction. It is important to find appropriate enzyme in order to develop these kind of superior EMC. Calf PGE is more suitable than that of kid and lamb to develop the mild cheese flavors. Especially, it was known that animal esterase and peptidase were more benefit than microbial enzyme for Cheddar cheese flavors. On the Cheddar and Swiss cheese, EMC flavors were much more 3 times than the cheese flavors. In the ratio of each component, butyric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid were high in free fatty acid, and glutamic acid, valine, leucine and lysine were high in free amino acid of the Cheddar EMC.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Objectives : Trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a sensitizer that induces occupational asthma and atopic dermatitis, is widely used industrially to make epoxy and alkyd resins, plasticizers, high temperature polymer, and surfactants. The aim of this study was to investigative the effects of aqueous extracts of Lonicera japonica Flower(LJFAE) on TMA-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in Balb/c mice. Methods : The dried flowers of L. japonica were extracted with distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 7 h. The extract was freeze-dried following filteration through 0.45 ${\mu}m$ filter. Mice were orally administrated with or without LJFE of a different doses(25-100 mg/kg) for 28 days. In the challenge period, mice were externally applied at difference doses of LJFAE one time per day 30 min before TMA treatment. We examined the effects of LJFAE on the the serum levels of IgE and prostagladin E2 (PGE2), the Thl/Th2 cytokine production of spleen cells, ear swelling responses, and the leukocyte infiltration induced by TMA. Results : The orally and externally administration of LJFAE dose-dependently reduced the serum levels of IgE and PGE2 production as well as ear swelling responses and leukocyte infiltration in TMA-induced Balb/c mice. Furthermore, the levels of Thl (TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gammer}$, IL-2)/Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) cytokine production from spleen cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and CD28 mAbs was markedly suppressed by the orally and externally treatment with LJFAE in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that LJFAE suppresses the inflammatory mediators and regulates the Thl/Th2 cytokines. Therefore, these properties may contribute to the strong anti-CHS response effect of LJFAE.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2006

Ilekudinol B is one of the flavonoids isolated from Weigela subsessilis (Caprifoliaceae). In the present study, the suppression effect of ilekudinol B on tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}-induced$ cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was investigated in human colon epithelial cell line HT-29. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) production and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). COX-2 and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Ilekudinol B significantly inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ secretion of IL-8 and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ from the human colon epithelial cell line HT-29 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ilekudinol B remarkably diminished $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ COX-2 expression and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 subunit translocation to the nucleus. In conclusion, our results indicate that ilekudinol B may have anti-inflammatory activity on $TNF-{\alpha}-dependent$ colonic inflammation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.315-320
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• 2004

Alpha-viniferin was previously isolated as a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor from Carex humilis (Cyperaceae) and is an oligomeric stilbene compound with benzofuran (BF) moieties in its chemical structure. In the present study, a chemically synthetic BF compound, named as 3,3-dimethyl-2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18-hexadecahydro-1H-benzo[b] cyclopentadeca[d]furan-1-one, was discovered to inhibit bacterial lipo polysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin $E_2$ $(PGE_2)$ production in macrophages RAW 264.7. The BF compound exhibited a selectively preferred inhibitory effect on COX-2 activity over COX-1 activity. Furthermore, BF compound inhibited LPS-induced COX-2 expression at transcription level. As a down-regulatory mechanism of COX-2 expression shown by BF compound, suppression of nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ activation has been demonstrated. BF compound inhibited LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity and nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, in parallel, but did not affect LPS-induced degradation of inhibitory ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ protein $(I{\kappa}B{\alpha})$. Taken together, anti-inflammatory effect of BF compound on $PGE_2$ production was ascribed by its down-regulatory action on LPS-induced COX-2 synthesis in addition to inhibitory action on enzyme activity of COX-2.