• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2014

Synurus deltoides (Aiton) Nakai, belonging to the Compositae family, is an edible plant widely distributed in Northeast Asia. In this study, we examined the mechanisms underlying the immunomodulative effects of the ethanol extract of S. deltoides (SDE). The SDE extract strongly down-regulated the mRNA expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, thereby inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and TNF-${\alpha}$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, SDE also suppressed the nuclear translocation of the activation protein (AP)-1 and the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), and simultaneously decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK), p38, and Akt. In agreement with the in vitro observations, the orally administered SDE ameliorated the acute inflammatory symptoms in the arachidonic acid-induced ear edema and the EtOH/HCl-induced gastritis in mice. Therefore, S. deltoides have a potential anti-inflammatory capacity in vitro and in vivo, suggesting the potential therapeutic use in the inflammation-associated disorders.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.183-199
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• 2010

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the focal loss of cartilage due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1beta(IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNF-$\alpha$), prostaglandin, and nitric oxide(NO). We investigated the anti-arthritic effects of water extract from FLOS LONICERAE(FLWE) in vitro and in vivo. Extract inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators(NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, and prostaglandin $E_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. FLWE also inhibited TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $PGE_2$ production as well as COX activity in collagen-induced mouse arthritis. Moreover, FLWE significantly suppressed collagen-induced mouse arthritis. These results suggest that FLOS LONICERAE may be useful for therapy against inflammatory immune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammation effect of Potentilla chinensis (PC) on Raw264.7 macrophage cells. Ethanol extract of PC decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Ethanol extract was fractioned by n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, water and each fraction was tested for inhibitory effects on inflammation. Among the sequential solvent fractions, PC chloroform extracts (50, 100, 300, and 500 ${\mu}g/mL$) significantly suppressed LPS-stimulated production of NO. During the entire experimental period, 200 and 300 ${\mu}g/mL$ of PC chloroform extracts had no cytotoxicity. LPS-induced NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production were inhibited by PC chloroform extracts up to 50% and 90% of these productions, respectively. PC chloroform extracts reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 gene. These results suggest that PC chloroform extracts exhibit strong effects of anti-inflammation and can be a potential candidate in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.163-173
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• 2008

Objectives : Imyosan (IMS), a drug preparation comprised of Phellodendri Cortex (PC) and Atractylodis Rhizoma (AR), is commonly used as a traditional herbal medicine in Korea and China for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. However, little is known about the effect of IMS and its component herbs on inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, in this study, methanol extracts of IMS and its component herbs were examined to determine if they inhibited inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of IJHT and its components on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2H-tetrazolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were detected by western blot. Results : Methanol extract of IMS and its component herbs were significantly reduced iNOS and COX-2 expression as well as NO, PGE2, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : The results of this study indicated that the anti-inflammatory effect of Imyosan extract is more potent than that of extracts of its component herbs in macrophages.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1272-1278
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Kyung Hee Allergic Disease Herbal Formula (KAHF) on atopic dermatitis (AD) and its mode of action. Our clinical study showed KAHF reduced Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) indexes and subjective symptom scores. In parallel, the decreased levels of interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ and interleukin (IL)-5 in serum, which contributed to its AD-mitigating effect was observed. To reveal the underlying mechanisms of KAHF in AD, its anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses in RAW 264.7 cells was examined. KAHF was found to significantly inhibit the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and IL-$1{\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Consistently, KAHF potently inhibited protein and mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, KAHF inhibited LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-$\kappa}B$. Taken together, our data suggest that KAHF has a beneficial effect on several eicosanoid-related skin inflammations, such as atopic dermatitis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.747-758
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• 2002

The skin displays a highly active metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Dietary deficiency of linoleic acid (LA), an 18-carbon (n-6) PUFA, results in characteristic scaly skin disorder and excessive epidermal water loss. Although arachidonic acid (AA), a 20-carbon (n6) PUFA, is metabolized via cyclooxygenase pathway into predominantly prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$, the metabolism of AA via the 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) pathway, which is very active in skin epidermis and catalyzes the transformation of M into predominantly 15S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15S-HETE). Additionally, the 15-LOX also metabolizes the 18-carbon LA into 13S-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13S-HODE), respectively. Interestingly, 15-LOX catalyzes the transformation of $dihomo-{\gamma}-linolenic$ acid (DGLA), derived from dietary gamma-linolenic acid, to 15S-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (15S-HETrE). These monohydroxy fatty acids are incorporated into the membrane inositol phospholipids which undergo hydrolytic cleavage to yield substituted-diacylglycerols such as 13S-HODE-DAG from 13S-HODE and 15S-HETrE-DAG from 15S-HETrE. These substituted-monohydroxy fatty acids seemingly exert anti-inflammatory/antiproliferative effects via the modulation of selective protein kinase C as well as on the upstream/down-stream nuclear MAP-kinase/AP-1/apoptotic signaling events.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.82-86
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• 2008

The fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis have been previously reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, the constituents including geniposide, geniposidic acid, genipin and crocin were evaluated for their effects on prostaglandin and NO production in an attempt to establish anti-inflammatory cellular mechanisms. Among the constituents tested, only genipin significantly inhibited cyclooxygenase-2-mediated $PGE_2$ and inducible nitric oxide synthase-mediated NO production from lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells at 10-100 ${\mu}$M. Genipin also inhibited nuclear transcription factor-${\kappa}B$ activation. Moreover, genipin showed in vivo antiinflammatory activity on ${\lambda}$-carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice (10.4-29.9% inhibition at 20-100 mg/kg, i.p.). All of these results suggest that genipin may contribute to anti-inflammatory activity of the fruits of G. jasminoides and an inhibitory action on prostaglandin and NO production is, at least, the part of anti-inflammatory mechanism of genipin.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.79-94
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• 2008

Although inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide(NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in host defense mechanism, these overproduction contributes to the pathogenesis of several diseases such as otitis media, hearing loss, periodontitis, bacterial sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. We investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extract from Ji-Pae-San(JPSWE) fomulated with Angelica dahurica plus Fritillaria Verticillata, Angelica dahurica(ADWE), and Fritillaria Verticillata(FUVE) in vitro and in vivo. Each extract inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators(NO, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects were synergistically increased by their combination. JPSWE also inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6. and $PGE_2$ production as well as COX activity in LPS-stimulated mice. Moreover, JPSWE significantly suppressed death by LPS-septic shock in mice(survival rate: 100%). These results suggest that Ji-Pae-San may be useful for therapeutic drugs against inflammatory immune diseases, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2012

Camellia japonica oil (CJ oil) has been used traditionally in East Asia to nourish and soothe the skin as well as help restore the elasticity of skin. CJ oil has also been used on all types of bleeding instances. However, little is known about its anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effects of CJ oil and its mechanisms of action were investigated. CJ oil inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, $PGE_2$, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, expression of COX-2 and iNOS genes was reduced. To evaluate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of CJ oil, LPS-induced activation of AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ promoters was found to be significantly reduced by CJ oil. LPS-induced phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, ERK, p38, and JNK was also attenuated. Our results indicate that CJ oil exerts anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating the expression of iNOS and COX-2 genes through inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 signaling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2014

Shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., has been considered a health food for centuries in Asia and is known to contain the isothiocyanate compound sulforaphane. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of a sulforaphane-containing solution (SCS) isolated from shepherd's purse. SCS had significant anti-inflammatory activity indicated by the decreased levels of nitric oxide (NO), cytokines (interleukin $1{\beta}$ [IL-$1{\beta}$], IL-6, and IL-10), and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. In addition, SCS decreased the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) levels, which confirmed the anti- inflammatory activity of SCS. Further, SCS inhibited vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Bacillus anthracis. The minimal inhibitory concentration was $250{\mu}g/ml$ for VRE and $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ for B. anthracis. Taken together, these data indicate that SCS has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-superbacterial properties, and thus it can be used as a functional food or pharmaceutical.