• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1431-1437
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• 2016

Sorghum bicolor L. is one of the important minor cereals in Asia, Africa, and the central United States, and it is considered a rich source of polyphenols, flavonoids, and dietary fiber. However, there is a lack of data on the anti-cancer activity of Sorghum in prostate cancer cells and immune activity in macrophages. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of an ethanol extract of S. bicolor L. (SE) on inducing apoptosis in RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells and immunomodulatory activity in RAW 264.7 cells. SE significantly inhibited the viability of RC-58T/h/SA#4 primary prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The morphology of RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells treated with SE was shrunken and involved the formation of an apoptotic body and nuclear condensation. In addition, SE markedly activated caspase-8, -9, and -3; increased the protein levels of Bax, p53, cleaved PARP, and cytosolic cytochrome c; and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression. Furthermore, the inhibition of caspases in RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells with z-VAD-fmk attenuated SE-induced cell growth inhibition. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was also elevated by SE treatment, as revealed by immune response parameters. These results suggest that SE inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in primary human prostate cancer cells in a caspase-dependent manner, and it modulates the immune functions in macrophages. Therefore, Sorghum bicolor L. may be used as a functional food to prevent prostate cancer and enhance immune activity.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2010

The fine structural characteristics of the apoptotic cells in the cutaneous epithelium of the anuran tadpole of the black-spotted frog, Rana nigromaculata was examined using the TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated d-Uridine triphosphate Nick End Labeling) staining technique and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) observations. The cutaneous epithelium of the tadpole was composed of stratified cuboidal cells and the apoptotic cell death was observed continuously during the tail degeneration stages from the Shumway stage number 31 to 33. The early apoptotic cells shown in the epithelium demonstrated condensation and margination of the chromatin material at the nuclear periphery, and nuclear breakdown and cytoplasmic condensation were followed. Subsequent cytoplasmic degeneration of the apoptotic cell were produced by membrane-bounded cell fragments with relatively well preserved organelles. Following the processes of autophagic degradation, the late apoptotic cells being phagocytosed by other surrounding cells. These nearby cells, presumptive intraepithelial macrophages, contain a variety of lysosomal residual bodies which fuses with other cell organelles or other cytoplasmatic material to form secondary lysosomes. They are soon transformed into lamellar shaped vesicles and finally disappeared during the process of degradation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2000

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates follicle growth, and inhibits the follicle atresia in the immature rodent ovaries. The present study was carried out to know the histological changes of ovarian follicles after FSH treatment in the prepubertal mice. Ten i.u. of recombinant FSH was i.p. injected on 3 weeks old mice. After the treatment, at 1, 2 and 3 days, left ovaries were collected for the histological study. The atretic ratio of preantral follicles increased with time after FSH treatment. However, in the case of antral follicles, there was no significant change in the ratio. The degenerating follicles contained apoptotic granulosa cells, macrophage, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the follicular cavity. The present results suggest that follicular degeneration caused by FSH hyperstimulation could be mediated by apoptosis as well as the acute inflammation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.190-198
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• 2001

Purpose : It was reported that Captopril (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) had an effect to reduce the pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis induced by radiation in rat. We peformed this study to investigate the radioprotective effect and mechanism of Captopril. Methods and Materials : The comparison was made between the radiation only group and the combined Captopril and radiation group by examining histopathologic findings and immunohistochemical stains $(TNF\alpha\;and\;TGF\beta1)$ at 2 and 8 weeks after irradiation. Each group has 8 to 10 rats (Sprague-Dawley). 12.5 Gy of X-ray was irradiated to the left hemithorax in a single fraction. Captopril (50 mg/kg/d) mixed with water was given per oral and continuously from 1 week prior to irradiation up to 8th week of the experiment. Result : In the combined Captopril and radiation group, the histopathologic changes which were hemorrhage into alveolar space, changes of alveolar epithelium, bronchial epithelium and blood vessels, and perivascular edema were less severe than in the radisation only group at 2 weeks. At 8 weeks, the alveolar epithelial changes and perivascular edema were less prominant in the combined Captopril and radiation group. At 2 weeks, the $TNF\alpha$ expression of the combined Captopril and radiation group was markedly decreased at the alveolar epithelium (p<0.01), lymphoid tissue (p=0.06) and the macrophage of alveolar space (p<0.01) compared with the radiation only group. Furthermore the $TGF\beta1$ expression was significantly prominant at the alveolar epithelium (p<0.02) and the macrophage in alveolar space (p<0.02). At 8 weeks, the expression of $TNF\alpha\;and\;TGF\beta1$ of most sites, except $TGF\beta1$ of the macrophage of alveolar space (p=0.09), showed no significant difference between 2 groups. Conclusion : This study revealed that early lung damage induced by irradiation was reduced with the addition of Captopril in the latent and early pneumonitis phase. The expression of $TNF\alpha\;and\;TGF\beta1$ at 2 weeks and $TGF\beta1$ at 8 weeks was further decreased in the combined Captopril and radiation group than the radiation only group. From these results, it may be concluded that the proinflammatoy cytokine $(TNF\alpha)$ and fibrogenic cytokine $(TGF\beta1)$ probably play the role of the radioprotective mechanism in Captopril.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.729-733
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• 2014

Laminaria japonica roots have not been used practically in Korea. In this study, in order to promote the use of these by-products, the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanol extract of Laminaria japonica root (LJREE) was investigated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. To examine the potential anti-inflammatory effects of LJREE, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and cell proliferation were measured. We found that NO levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, the production of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ was suppressed, and the production of IL-$1{\beta}$ was inhibited over 30% after treatment with $100{\mu}g/mL$ LJREE. In conclusion, the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells, measured by MTT assay, confirmed that LJREE may have significant effects on inflammatory factors without any cytotoxicity, making it a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.451-459
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• 1999

Background : In sepsis, excessive generation of reactive oxygen species plays key roles in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. The serum antioxidants such as catalase and MnSOD are elevated in sepsis and considered as predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) and prognostic factors of sepsis. Peroxiredoxin(Prx) has recently been known as an unique and major intracellular antioxidant. In this study, we evaluated the expression of Prx I and Prx II in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells(RAW 267.7) after treatment of oxidative stress and endotoxin and measured the amount of Prx I, Prx II and thioredoxin(Trx) in peritoneal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of septic animal model. Methods : Using immunoblot analysis with specific antibodies against Prx I, Prx II and Trx, we evaluated the distribution of Prx I and Prx II in human neutrophil, alveolar macrophage and red blood cell. We evaluated the expression of Prx I and Prx II in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells after treatment of $5\;{\mu}M$ menadione and $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and measured the amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx in peritoneal lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals(septic animal model induced with intraperitoneal 6 mg/Kg LPS injection) and those in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals and intravenous septic animals(septic animal model induced with intravenous 5 mg/Kg LPS injection) and compared with the severity of lung inflammation. Results : The distribution of Prx I and Prx II were so different among human neutrophil, alveolar macrophage and red blood cell. The expression of Prx I in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells was increased after treatment of $5\;{\mu}M$ menadione and $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ lipopolysaccharide but that of Prx II was not increased. The amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx were increased in peritoneal lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals but were not increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of intraperitoneal and intravenous septic animals regardless of the severity of lung inflammation. Conclusion : As intracellular antioxidant, the expression of Prx I is increased in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells after treatment of oxidative stress and endotoxin. The amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx are increased in local inflammatory site but not increased in injured lung of septic animal model.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.484-491
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• 2019

Proanthocyanidins are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds abundant in many vegetables, plant skins (rind/bark), seeds, flowers, fruits, and nuts. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated myriad effects potentially beneficial to human health, such as antioxidation, immunomodulation, DNA repair, and antitumor activity. Among immune cells, macrophages are crucial players in a variety of inflammatory responses to environmental conditions. However, it has been widely reported that macrophages cause chronic inflammation and are involved in a variety of diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. In this study, we report the suppressive effect of proanthocyanidins via the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-related system, on the immune response of the LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Increased HO-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels were found in proanthocyanidins-treated RAW264.7 cells. Further, proanthocyanidins enhanced nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 translocation into the nucleus. RAW264.7 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without proanthocyanidins, and inflammatory mediator expression levels were assessed. Proanthocyanidins treatment resulted in the attenuation of nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, mRNA and protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6, was inhibited by proanthocyanidins treatment in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These findings support proanthocyanidins as a promising anti-inflammatory agent.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.166-173
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• 2018

Objectives : Woogakseungmatang is a prescription medication mainly used to treat facial paralysis in Korean medicine. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Woogakseungmatang on anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. Methods : Woogakseungmatang was extracted using hot water. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) method; nitric oxide(NO) production and Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production in RAW cells treated with Woogakseungmatang were investigated; and the cytokine changes associated with inflammation were examined. The antioxidant capacity of Woogakseungmatang was measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results : RAW cells treated with Woogakseungmatang showed 90% cell viability at a $100-{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. NO production was decreased by 15% at a $100-{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. $PGE_2$ production was decreased by 18% at a $100-{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. Interleukin $1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), interleukin 6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) were significantly reduced at $100{\mu}g/ml$ compared with those in the control group. The DPPH free radical scavenging capability was more than 50% at $100{\mu}g/ml$. Conclusions : Woogakseungmatang showed only a slight anti - inflammatory effect at $100{\mu}g/ml$ and it was difficult to confirm the concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, this study means to confirm the potential anti-inflammatory effects of Woogakseungmatang. Based on this research, more systematic and diverse studies should be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of raw (P) and roasted (RP) Perilla frutescens Britton (perilla) seeds in RAW 264.7 macrophages and an ulcerative colitis mouse model. In lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells, treatment with ethanol extract of P at the concentrations of 75 and $150{\mu}g/mL$ decreased nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) levels to 48-85% of the control (p<0.01). Treatment with RP extract exhibited similar effects on NO, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$, decreasing those levels to 51-84% of the control (p<0.01). In dextran sulfate sodium-treated ulcerative colitis mice, dietary treatment with 1% RP for 7 days decreased the colonic levels of prostaglandin $E_2$ and leukotriene $B_4$ to 34% and 58% of the control, respectively (p<0.05). Dietary P treatment, however, did not decrease those levels significantly. These results indicate that roasted perilla seed exerts anti-inflammatory activity both in vitro and in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.557-563
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• 2011

Platycodon grandiflorum (Korean name, Doraji) has been widely used in traditional herbal medicine as an expectorant for pulmonary disease and a remedy for respiratory disorders in Asia. Here, we investigated the effects of BtOH extract saponin fraction of P. gradiflourm (PGS) on phagocytosis and anti-tumor activity with related cytokine productions in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The results showed that PGS increased phagocytosis, anti-tumor activity, TNF-${\alpha}$ and nitric oxide (NO) production without direct tumor cell cytotoxicity. To further investigate whether NO is involved in anti-tumor and phagocytic activities of PGS, cells were co-treated with specific iNOS inhibitors, L-NIL (N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine, dihydrochloride), to block NO production. PGS decreased anti-tumor activity in L-NIL-treated cells, whereas phagocytic activity was not inhibited under the same conditions, indicating that the anti-tumor activity by PGS appears to be conducted by NO. These findings suggest that P. grandiflorum could be used a potential nutrition therapeutic agent for cancer patients.