• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.125-137
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• 2009

Objectives : We studied anti-allergic effects of Cinnamomi Ramulus(CR) herbal acupuncture and Cinnamomi Ramulus extract. Methods : In vivo, animals were herbal-acupunctured with CR at both ST36s three times for 5 days. Then, we induced active systemic anaphylatic shock using compound 48/80 in ICR mice, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis using anti-DNP IgE in Sprague Dawley rat. In vitro, we measured cell viability, ${\beta}$ -hexosaminidase release and the expressions of IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA in RBL-2H3 cells after treatment of various concentrations of CR extract. Results : In vivo, CR herbal acupuncture pretreatments at both ST36s inhibited compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylatic shock. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was inhibited by CR herbal acupuncture pretreatments at both ST36s and optional points. In vitro, CR extract treatments did not affect on cell viability and inhibited ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release. CR extract treatments also decreased the expressions of IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA in RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that CR herbal acupuncture and CR extract should be beneficial in the inhibition of allergic inflammatory response.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.73-83
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate anti-allergic effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix(GR) pharmacopuncture and GR extract. Methods : In vivo, animals were gotten GR pharmacopunctures at both sides of ST36s three times for 5 days. Then, we investigated anti-DNP IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis of Sprague Dawley rats. In vitro, we measured cell viability, ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release, and the secretion of interleukin-4(IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$) in RBL-2H3 cells after treatment of various concentrations of GR extract. Results : In vivo, we observed inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis after GR pharmacopuncture treatments at both sides of ST36s and optional points. In vitro, GR extract treatments did not affect cell viability, but inhibited ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release and the secretion of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$. Conclusions : These results suggest that GR pharmacopuncture and GR extract should be beneficial in the inhibition of allergic inflammatory response.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.150-162
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• 2009

Objectives: Inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ playa critical role in inflammatory immune response. Therefore, intervention of inflammatory mediator production promises therapeutic benefit for treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases, such as allergic asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, septic shock and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, the pharmacological effects of the flower MeOH extract Panax notoginseng (Notoginseng Flos; NF) on inflammation were investigated to address potential therapeutic or toxic effects. Methods: RA W264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of NF methanol (NF-M) extract in the presence or absence of LPS ($1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$). Results: NF-M extract significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, $PGE_2$ and pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, NF-M extract suppressed mRNA expressions and protein levels of iNOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated RA W264.7 cells. Conclusion: These results indicated that NF-M extract inhibits LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators in macrophages and demonstrated that NF-M extract possesses anti-inflammatory properties in vitro.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.379-389
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• 2018

A nucleobase adenine is a fundamental component of nucleic acids and adenine nucleotides. Various biological roles of adenine have been discovered. It is not produced from degradation of adenine nucleotides in mammals but produced mainly during polyamine synthesis by dividing cells. Anti-inflammatory roles of adenine have been supported in IgE-mediated allergic reactions, immunological functions of lymphocytes and dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. However adenine effects on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated inflammation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell wall component of Gram negative bacteria, is not examined. Here we investigated anti-inflammatory roles of adenine in LPS-stimulated immune cells, including a macrophage cell line RAW264.7 and bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs) and peritoneal cells in mice. In RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, adenine inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 and inflammatory lipid mediators, prostaglandin $E_2$ and leukotriene $B_4$. Adenine impeded signaling pathways eliciting production of these inflammatory mediators. It suppressed $I{\kappa}B$ phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) JNK and ERK. Although adenine raised cellular AMP which could activate AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), the enzyme activity was not enhanced. In BMMCs, adenine inhibited the LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-13 and also hindered phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and Akt. In peritoneal cavity, adenine suppressed the LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by peritoneal cells in mice. These results show that adenine attenuates the LPS-induced inflammatory reactions.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2009

Equisetum hyemale Linne. (EH) (Equisetaceae) has been used for the treatment of eye and skin disease, chronic eczema, pneumoconiosis and asthma in Korea and China. Human leukemic mast cells are widely distributed in the connective tissues of mammals and other vertebrates. Phorbol 12-myristrate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187 stimulated Human leukaemic mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) can produce a variety of inflammatory mediators and several pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8. Since TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 are major factors during the inflammatory process, we studied the effects of EH on TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 release in HMC-1 stimulated with PMA and A23187. The result of this study indicate that EH inhibits TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 in activated HMC-1 cells via $I{\kappa}B$/Nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ pathway. Therefore, EH might contribute significantly to the prevention or treatment of mast-cell mediated inflammatory diseases and EH has potential use in the therapy of chronic allergic inflammation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.326-332
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• 2012

Mast cells play pivotal pathologic roles in allergic disease involving T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. Fisetin has been known as an anti-allergic agent having inhibitory effects on the IL-4 and IL-13 gene expressions in inflammatory immune cells. However, its molecular mechanisms for suppressive effects of fisetin on IL-4 and IL-13 in activated mast cells have been incompletely elucidated. In this study we found that fisetin significantly inhibited the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin (PI)-induced production of IL-4 and IL-13 in mast cells. The levels of mRNA were dramatically decreased by fisetin, indicating the suppression might be regulated at the transcriptional levels. Western blot analysis of the nuclear expression of various transcription factors involved in the promoter activation indicated that suppression of c-Fos was prominent together with significant down-regulation of nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NF-AT) and NF-${\kappa}B$, but not c-Jun. Furthermore, the nuclear expression of GATA binding protein 2 (GATA-2) transcription factor was significantly down-regulated by fisetin. Taken together, our study indicated fisetin has suppressive effects on IL-4 and IL-13 gene expression through the regulation of selective transcription factors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2019

Allergic asthma, is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airway presenting with airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodelling. T helper cells-derived cytokines are critically associated with asthma pathogenesis. Janus kinase-signal transduction and activation of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling is found to be involved in asthma. Magnolol is a plant-derived bioactive compound with several pharmacological effects. The study aimed to assess the effects of magnolol in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic model. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Magnolol (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg body weight) was administered to separate groups of animals. Dexamethasone was used as the positive control. Cellular infiltration into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reduced on magnolol treatment. The levels of Th2 and Th17 cytokines were reduced with noticeably raised levels of interferon gamma. Lung function was improved effectively along with restoration of bronchial tissue architecture. OVA-specific immunoglobulin E levels in serum and BALF were decreased by magnolol. Magnolol reduced Th17 cell population and effectively modulated the JAK-STAT and Notch 1 signaling. The results suggest the promising use of magnolol in therapy for allergic asthma.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2012

This study is to investigate the effects of Chinemys reevesii (CR) on allergic inflammation mechanism related chronic dermatitis. To investigate the effects of CR, we study inhibitory effect of CR on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines released from RAW 264.7 cell stimulated with lipopolysaccaride (LPS), and EoL-1, THP-1, Jutkat cell stimulated with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP), and LPS induced acute inflammatory BALB/c mouse model. CR reduced the levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ released from RAW 264.7 cell stimulated with LPS at 20 ug/ml, 10 ug/ml concentration. CR significantly reduced the levels of MCP-1 released from EoL-1 cell, IL-6 from THP-1 cell, and IL-4, IL-5, TNF-${\alpha}$ from Jutkat cell stimulated with DP at all the concentration. CR significantly reduced the levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, in LPS induced inflammatory BALB/c mouse model, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that CR has suppressive effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines in various inflammation related cell lines through the regulation of immune system. CR could be a therapeutic agent for treatment of chronic inflammatory dermatitis in the future.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.268-272
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• 2006

Cimicifugae Rhizoma (CR) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which has been traditionally used to treat climacteric complaints, antipyretics and diaphoresis as an alternative medicine for estrogen hormone replacement therapy with estrogens. Recently, it has been reported that different extract fractions of CR have various effects such as anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. The current study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Cimicifugae Rhizoma water extracts (CRE) in the macrophage-like cell line, Raw 264.7. Our results showed that CRE ($1\sim50\;{\mu}g/mL$) stimulated tumoricidal activity and NO production, whereas phagocytic activity was inhibited at the same concentrations. Additionally, iNOS mRNA expression was significantly increased in Raw 264.7 exposed to CRE as demonstrated by RT-PCR. These results indicate that the tumoricidal activity induced by CRE may be mediated by the production of NO and these activities may be useful for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2022

Traditionally, Asian ginseng or Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng has long been used in Korea and China to treat various diseases. The main active components of Panax ginseng is ginsenoside, which is known to have various pharmacological treatment effects such as antioxidant, vascular easing, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and anticancer. Most reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause chronic diseases such as myocardial symptoms and cause fatal oxidative damage to cell membrane lipids and proteins. Therefore, many studies that inhibit the production of oxidative stress have been conducted in various fields of physiology, pathophysiology, medicine and health, and disease. Recently, ginseng or ginsenosides have been known to act as antioxidants in vitro and in vivo results, which have a beneficial effect on preventing cardiovascular disease. The current review aims to provide mechanisms and inform precious information on the effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on the prevention of oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease in animals and clinical trials.