• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.7-10
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• 2012

Objectives: The root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (Lithospermi Radix, LR) is a kind of heat clearing and blood cooling medicinal herbs. It can clear away heat and cool the blood, reduce toxins and disperse maculae. LR has long been used as efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Methods: In the present study, we investigate anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of LR by using the 1-fluoro-2, 4- dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis mouse model. Results: Topical application of 10 mg/mL of LR effectively inhibited skin lesions induced by repeated paintings with DNFB. Topical application of LR also inhibited hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis and infiltrations of mononuclear cells. In addition, production levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG1 in serum were decreased by using LR in vivo. Conclusions: These data suggest that LR acts as an antiinflammatory agent, improving skin lesions in CD mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 2020

Activation of osteoclast and inactivation of osteoblast result in loss of bone mass with bone resorption, leading to the pathological progression of osteoporosis. The receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) is a member of the TNF superfamily, and is a key mediator of osteoclast differentiation. A flavanone glycoside isolated from the fruit of Poncirus trifoliata, poncirin has anti-allergic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet activities. The present study investigates the effect of poncirin on osteoclast differentiation of RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. We observed reduced formation of RANKL-stimulated TRAP-positive multinucleated cells (a morphological feature of osteoclasts) after poncirin exposure. Real-time qPCR analysis showed suppression of the RANKL-mediated induction of key osteoclastogenic molecules such as NFATc1, TRAP, c-Fos, MMP9 and cathepsin K after poncirin treatment. Poncirin also inhibited the RANKL-mediated activation of NF-κB and, notably, JNK, without changes in ERK and p38 expression in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, we assessed the in vivo efficacy of poncirin in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone erosion model. Evaluating the micro-CT of femurs revealed that bone erosion in poncirin treated mice was markedly attenuated. Our results indicate that poncirin exerts anti-osteoclastic effects in vitro and in vivo by suppressing osteoclast differentiation. We believe that poncirin is a promising candidate for inflammatory bone loss therapeutics.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.9-17
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• 2004

Objective : Mesangial cell proliferation and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is the common pathologic feature of glomerulosclerosis, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB-chain, transforming growth factor betal $(TGF-{\beta}1)$, cyclin dependent kinases (CDK) and CDK inhibitors mediated in these pathophysiological processes. Bupleurum falcatum which is one of the most widely used components in traditional oriental medicines, has multiple pharmacological effects, such as antipyretic, analgesic, immune modulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, and antitussive effects. Methods : In this study, we evaluated the influence of Bupleurum falcatum on mesangial cell proliferation, DNA synthesis and expression of PDGF-BB chain, $TGF-{\beta}1$, CDKI, CDK2, CDK4, p21 and p27 in fetal bovine serum (FBS)-activated human mesangial cell. Results : Bupleurum falcatum reduced the mesangial cell proliferation and DNA synthesis more than control and captopril. And in the ELISA analysis of $TGF-{\beta}1$, and RT-PCR of PDGF-BB chain, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, p21, and p27, Bupleurum falcatum inhibited the expression of $TGF-{\beta}1$ protein and PDGF-BB, CDK1, CDK2 gene and promoted that of p21 gene in a dose-dependent manner in comparing with control and captopril. Conclusions: These results suggest that Bupleurum falcatum may inhibit the mesangial cell proliferation and DNA synthesis by regulation of PDGF-BB and $TGF-{\beta}1$ expressions, and by modulation of CDK1, CDK2 and p21 expression.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-allergy activities of persimmon leaf extract (PLE) on a phthalic anhydride (PA)-induced allergic mouse model. A human leukemic mast cell line (HMC-1) was used to examine the inhibitory activity of PLE on the histamine release by human leukemic mast cells. PLE inhibited histamine release from HMC-1 cells in response to cross-linkage of high-affinity IgE receptor-${\alpha}$ ($Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\alpha}$). Additionally, a PA-induced allergic mouse model was used to investigate the effects of PLE in vivo. Mice were orally administrated with or without PLE of single dose (250 mg/kg/day) for 31 days. Oral intake of PLE significantly inhibited passive cutaneous reactions. Oral administration of PLE to PA-induced allergic mice also led to a striking suppression of the development of contact dermatitis, ear swelling and lymph node weight. In addition, PA-specific IL-4 production of draining lymph node cells was markedly diminished by PLE oral administration, but not IFN-${\gamma}$. Furthermore, PLE treatment suppressed PA-induced thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (CCL17) and cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CCL27) expressions in ear tissues. Based on these results, we suggest that PLE may have therapeutic potential as an effective material for management of irritant contact dermatitis or related inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.119-131
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• 2015

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritic and erythematous skin lesions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the suppressive effects of Lonicerae Flos, Forsythiae Fluctus and Hwangryunhaedok Decoction Pharmacopuncture on the development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga Mice. Methods : The Atopic Dermatitis was induced by biostir AD on the mice's back skin. Experimental groups were divided into three including LFP(Lonicerae Flos Pharmacopuncture, EtOH extract), FFP(Forsythiae Fluctus Pharmacopuncture, EtOH extract) and HHP(Hwangryunhaedok Decoction Pharmacopuncture, Hydrodistillation extract). Every second day, the mice of three groups were treated with $0.1m{\ell}$ of pharmacopuncture using a syringe at right and left acupoints ($BL_{13}$), alternatively. On the control group, normal saline was used instead of pharmacopuncture. Subsequently optical observation with a handscope, a clinical skin score, Tissue(general/immune) mast cell, Serum IgE level, Serum histamine level, and Serum lymphokine(IL-2, IL-4, $IFN-{\gamma}{\gamma}$) were measured. Results : FFP and HHP decreased the clinical skin score, the total cell number of mast cells, and the Serum total IgE level and Serum histamine level. In Serum lymphokine levels, all groups were decreased to the IL-4 level, LFP and FFP were increased to the IL-2 level, and LFP was increased to the $IFN-{\gamma}$ level. Conclusions : From the above results, Forsythiae Fluctus Pharmacopuncture (EtOH extract) and Hwangryunhaedok Decoction Pharmacopuncture (Hydrodistillation extract) exerted anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting a promising agent for improving atopic dermatitis related symptoms.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.559-564
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• 2012

It has been reported that dried orange peel in a medicine prepared from crude drugs has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral functions, prevents circulatory diseases, reduces lipids, improves immunity, and strengthens capillary vessels. This study attempted to identify the antibacterial effects of dried orange peel extract on S. mutans causing dental caries, and its effects on GTase activation. The extract was put on the medium at the concentration of 5, 10 and 20 mg/ml and its effects on the inhibition of S. mutans growth were examined. Analysis found that the higher the concentration was, the more the number of colonies was reduced. In accordance with the measurement after 8 hours, the extract displayed a high growth inhibition rate: 92% at a concentration of 5 mg/ml, 95% at a concentration of 10 mg/ml and 99% at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. Furthermore, the GTase deactivation rate by the extract was measured. The higher the concentration of extract was, the more rapidly the deactivation rate increased. The deactivation rate of the extract was significant at 42% at a concentration of 5mg/ml.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2012

Actinidia arguta (Actinidiaceae) has been reported to have several pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-oxidant activities. The present study investigated the protective activity of an ethanol extract from the leaf and stem of A. arguta against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity using cultured rat cortical neurons. Exposure of cultured cortical neurons to $500{\mu}M$ glutamate for 12 h triggered neuronal cell death. A. arguta inhibited glutamate-induced neuronal death and apoptosis, which were measured by a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Hoechst 33342 staining, respectively. The increase of pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax and c-caspase-3, in glutamate-treated neurons was significantly inhibited by treatment with A. arguta. A. arguta also inhibited $500{\mu}M$ glutamate-induced elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which were measured by fluorescent dyes, Fluo-4 AM and $H_2DCF$-DA, respectively. These results suggest that A. arguta may prevent glutamate-induced apoptotic neuronal death by inhibiting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ elevation and ROS generation and, therefore, may have a therapeutic role for the prevention of neurodegeneration in cerebral ischemic diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.823-830
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• 2023

Lactococcus lactis is a lactic acid bacterium and used in the dairy food industry. The ameliorating effects of Lactobacillus species on atopic dermatitis (AD) have been extensively studied, but the specific effect of L. lactis strains has not yet been investigated. In this study, the efficacy of L. lactis LB 1022, isolated from natural cheese, was evaluated using RAW 264.7, HMC-1 and HaCaT cell lines and an ovalbumin-sensitized AD mouse model. L. lactis LB 1022 exhibited nitric oxide suppression and anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. Oral administration of L. lactis LB 1022 to AD mice significantly reduced the levels of IgE, mast cells, and eosinophils, and a range of T cell-mediated T helper Th1, Th2, and Th17-type cytokines under interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). In addition, L. lactis LB 1022 treatment increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acids. Overall, L. lactis LB 1022 significantly modulated AD-like symptoms by altering metabolites and the immune response, illustrating its potential as candidate for use in functional food supplements to alleviate AD.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.69-83
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Amyda sinensis (AS) on allergic inflammation mechanism related atopy dermatitis. Methods: To investigate the effects of AS, We study inhibitory effect of AS on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines released from Raw264.7 cell stimulated with LPS (lipopolysaccaride), and EoL-1, THP-1, Jutkat cell stimulated with DP (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), and LPS indused acute inflammatory BALB/c mouse model. Result: AS reduced the levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ released from Raw264.7 cell stimulated with LPS at 20 ug/ml, 5 ug/ml concentration, and reduced the levels of IL-6 in a dose-dependent. AS significantly reduced the levels of MCP-1 released from EoL-1 cell stimulated with DP (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) at all the concentration, and significantly reduced the level of IL-8 at 0.1 ug/ml concentration. AS significantly reduced the levels of MCP-1 released from THP-1 cell stimulated with DP (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) at 1 ug/ml concentration, and reduced the level of IL-6 in a dose-dependent. AS significantly reduced the levels of IL-4 released from Jutkat cell stimulated with DP at all the concentration, and significantly reduced the level of IL-5 at 0.1 ug/ml. 1 ug/ml concentration,. and reduced the level of TNF-${\alpha}$ in a dose-dependent. AS significantly reduced the levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, in LPS indused acute inflammatory BALB/c mouse model, in a dose-dependent. Conclusion: These result suggested that AS has suppressive effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines in various cell lines through the regulation of immune system. AS could be applied on the medicinal sources for treatment of immune abnormal diseases such as atopy dermatitis afterward.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1130-1136
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• 2017

Traditionally, the larvae of Allomyrina dichotoma (AD), a species of the rhinoceros beetle, have been widely used for their antidiabetic, antihepatofibrotic, antineoplastic, and antiobesity effects. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization has reported on the possibility of using edible insects in human dietary supplements in the future. However, despite the growing interest in insect-based bio-active products, the biological activities of these products have rarely been studied. Previously, we reported that AD larvae inhibit the in vitro differentiation of adipocytes via transcription factor downregulation. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the effects of a hot-water extract of AD larvae on allergy and inflammation. To investigate the inhibitory effect of the extract on allergic reactions, we measured the levels of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) after activation of RBL-2H3 cells using Compound 48/80. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the extract on inflammation was determined using Raw 264.7 cells after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The extract significantly inhibited the ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, and COX-2 levels in RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, it effectively inhibited the inflammatory cytokine IL-6, nitric oxide, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. These results suggest that AD larval extract can be potentially developed as an antiallergic and anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.