• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2013

This study wascarried out to compare the medicinal effects of various Ganoderma species mycelial extracts. Among 6 Ganoderma species mycelial extracts by using 100% MeOH, G. species ASI-7150 showed the highest antioxidant effect. In nitric oxide (NO) production and ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release inhibition assay, the treatment of G. lucidum ATCC64251 (Taiwan) mycelia extracts most effectively inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release. In addition, the treatment of all 6 Ganoderma species mycelial extracts were not affect on RAW264.7 cell viability. Although this preliminary research has thrown up many questions in need of further investigation, it will serve as a base for further studies of medicinal effects of various Ganoderma species.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.201-206
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• 2006

Numerous investigators have studied various activities of natural products and have found that they have not only nutritional effects, but also beneficial properties to cure various diseases and to maintain good health. Job's Tear(Yul-Moo) is a grass crop that has long been used in traditional medicine and as a nourishing food. Although its mechanism of action remains unclear, Job's Tear has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, stomachic, anti-allergic, and anti-spastic effects and has been used in China for the treatment of warts, rheumatism, and neuralgia. Previous results in our laboratory demonstrated that the ethanol extract and the water extract of Job's Tear exerted an immune regulatory function on mice cells in vitro. The present study was performed to investigate the ex vivo effect of Job's Tear on immune function. Seven to eight weeks old mice(Balb/c) were fed chow diet ad libitum and water extract of Job's Tear was administered orally every other day for four weeks at two different concentrations(50 and 500mg/kg B.W.). Splenocytes proliferation with mitogen stimulation with Con A and LPS was enhanced at 50 mg/kg B.W. of Job's Tear compared to those of the control group. The results of this ex vivo study showed that proliferation of splenocytes and macrophage activation were seen in the mice orally administrated 50 mg/kg B.W. of Job's Tear water extracts. In conclusion, this study suggests that Job's Tear extracts may enhance immune function by regulating splenocyte proliferation and the cytokine prodution capacity of activated macrophages in mice.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2012

Siegesbeckia Herba is known to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-tumor. The objective of this study is to explore the neuroprotective effect of Siegesbeckia Herba against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. Siegesbeckia Herba 70% ethanol extract and solvent fractions have the potent neroprotective effects on glutamate-induced nerotoxicity by induced the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in the mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. Especially, ethyl acetate fraction showed higher protective effect. In HT22 cell, Siegesbeckia Herba ethyl acetate fraction makes the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. Further, we found that treatment with c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125) reduced Siegesbeckia Herba ethyl acetate fraction induced HO-1 expression and Siegesbeckia Herba ethyl acetate fraction also increased JNK phosphorylation. In conclusion, the ethyl acetate fraction of 70% ethanol extract of Siegesbeckia Herba significantly protect glutamate-induced oxidative damage by induction of HO-1 via Nrf2 and JNK pathway in mouse hippocampal HT22. Taken together these finding suggest that Siegesbeckia Herba ethyl acetate fraction good source for taking active compounds and may be a potential therapeutic for brain disorder by targeting the oxidative stress of neuronal cell.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.183-184
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• 2003

Sophoricoside was isolated as the inhibitor of IL-5 bioactivity from Sophora japonica (Leguminosae). It has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect on rat paw edema model. To develop as an anti-allergic drug, genotoxicity of sophoricoside was investigated in bacterial and mammalian cell system such as Ames bacterial test, chromosomal aberration assay, Comet assay and MOLY assay. In Ames test, sophoricoside of 5000 ∼ 313 $\mu\textrm{g}$/plate concentrations was not shown significant mutagenic effect in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537 strains. The cytotoxicity (IC$\_$50/ and IC$\_$20/) of sophoricoside was determined above the concentration of 5000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) fibroblast cell and L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line. At concentrations of 5000, 2500 and 1250 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, this compound was not induced chromosomal aberration in CHL fibroblast cell in the absence and presence of S-9 metabolic activation system. Also in comet assay, DNA damage was not observed in L5178Y cell line. Also in MOLY assay, sophoricoside of 5000 ∼ 313 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml concentrations was not shown significant mutagenic effect in absence of S-9 metabolic activation system. However, the higher concentration of 5000 and 2500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of sophoricoside induced the increased mutation frequency (MF) in the presence of S-9 metabolic activation system. From these results, no genotoxic effects of sophoricoside observed in bacterial systems whereas, genotoxic effects observed in mammalian cell systems in the presence of metabolic activation system. These results suggested that the metabolite(s) of sophoricoside can cause some genotoxic effects in mammalian cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2013

Objectives: Galgeun-tang (GGT, gegen-tang, kakkon-to), an herbal formula, is used to treat the common cold, fevers, headaches, hangovers and neck and upper back stiffness. The drugs currently used to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) are limited by the significant adverse effects associated with their long-term usage. The need to efficiently manage the AD response while reducing side effects has led to the development of alternative remedies. Methods: To assess the effects of GGT on AD, the anti-inflammatory and anti-AD properties of GGT were evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo systems. Results: Nitric oxide (NO) and histamine production on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells and phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/A23187-treated MC/9 cells, respectively, were inhibited by GGT. GGT reduced thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) release on TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$ stimulated HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. GGT reduced both plasma levels of IgE and histamine and the dermatitis score in house dust mite induced atopic dermatitis-like lesions on NC/Nga mice. However, there were no significant histopathological differences observed between the GGT group and the AD-induced group, such as AD-like lesions in the dorsal skin or ear or mast cell infiltration in the dorsal skin. Conclusions: These results indicate that GGT inhibits chemokine production by keratinocytes and the atopic dermatitis response in NC/Nga mice, suggesting that GGT may be useful as a therapeutic remedy for treating AD and allergic inflammation-related diseases.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.71-86
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Gardenia jasminoides for. grandiflora extracts' (GAJ) anti-inflammatory effect on RBL-2H3 mast cells and OVA/alum-sensitized mice. Methods In this study, IL-4 and IL-13 production was measured via ELISA analysis, and mRNA expressions of GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 were analyzed by real-time PCR. In addition, MAPKs and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 transcription factors were examined using western blotting, and ELISA was used to understand IgE, IL-4, and IL-13 production in ovalbumin-allergic mice in in vitro study. Results As a result of this study, 1. GAJ were observed to suppress the mRNA expression of GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-13, IL-5, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 in comparison to PMA 50 ng/ml, ionomycin $0.5{\mu}M$ (PI) control group. 2. GAJ also inhibited the IL-4, IL-13 production in comparison to PI control group. 3. Western blot analysis showed decrease on the expression of mast-cell-specific transcription factors, including MAKPs (ERK, JNK, p38) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. 4. Orally-administered GAJ group in OVA/alum induced Balb/c mice showed decreased level of OVA-specific IgE in the serum. This group also has shown decreased the level of IL-4, IL-13 in the splenocyte culture supernatant. Conclusions Obtained results suggest that GAJ may regulate the allergic inflammation by transcription factors MAKPs (ERK, JNK, p38) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 causing inhibition of Th2 cytokines in mast cells and OVA/alum-sensitized mice.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.81-89
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• 2008

Objectives: In this study, the pharmacological effects of the ethylacetate extract of Ostericum koreanum(North Kangwhal; NK) on allergic inflammation were investigated in activated human mast cells. Methods: North Kangwhal was extracted with 80% methanol for 24 h, and then fractionated with ethylacetate(NK-EtOAc extract). HMC-1 cells, an human mast line, were pre-incubated with different concentrations of NK-EtOAc extract for 30 min, and then stimulated with PMA(50 nM/ml) and A23187($1{\mu}M/ml$) at indicated times. The cell toxicity was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-8) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Results: NK-EtOAc extract($10{\sim}50{\mu}g/ml$) significantly inhibited the productions of $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-8 in PMA/A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells without cell toxicity($0{\sim}50{\mu}g/ml$). NK-EtOAc extract also inhibited PMA/A23187-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 MAPK and the NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 subunit translocation into the nuclear of HMC-1 cells. Conclusions: This study suggests that NK-EtOAc extract may have an anti-inflammatory property through suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators in activated mast cells and its molecular mechanism underlies the blocking of NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.437-446
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• 2018

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein which is present in colostrum, milk, and other body secretions. Lactoferrin activities are associated with inflammatory and immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lactoferrin hydrolysates (LH) on the production of immunomodulatory factors such as inflammatory related cytokines (tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and interleukin (IL)-13) in Raw264.7 cells, which originated from murine macrophages. The results show that the Raw264.7 cells cultured in 3 types (whole, and above and below 10 kDa) of lactoferrin hydrolysates (LH) did not show any cytotoxicity in the cells. $TNF-{\alpha}$ decreased dose-dependently to 1,500 - 2,000 ng/mL by treatment with the 3 types of LH at 1, 50, $100{\mu}g/mL$, whereas the positive control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and negative control produced 2,450 and 1,000 ng/mL of $TNF-{\alpha}$, respectively, in the Raw264.7 cells. The treatment with the 3 types of LH (whole and above and below 10 kDa) at $50{\mu}g/mL$ produced about 20 - 28 ng/mL of $IL-1{\beta}$ at 3, 6, and 9 h, respectively, while the negative control produced 7 ng/mL, and LPS as the positive control produced 48 - 60 ng/mL. $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 expression was decreased dose-dependently by the 3 types of LH. The mRNA levels of IL-13 were slightly increased dose-dependently by the whole and above 10 kDa LH, but decreased dose-dependently by the below 10 kDa LH in the Raw264.7 cells. The results show that LH had immunomodulating effects on cytokine production in anti- and pro-inflammatory reactions as well as anti-allergic reactions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2009

Objectives : Maekmoondong-tang (MMDT), a Korean herbal medicine, has been used to treat severe dry cough in patients with bronchitis and pharyngitis. MMDT has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, secretory-modulating, and metabolic regulatory actions. However, there are no evidence in regard to the effects of MMDT on carcinogenesis and metastasis. Here, we investigated the effects of 70% ethanol extract of MMDT on cell viability, apoptosis, and motility in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods : Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, and the apoptosis induction was evaluated by caspase-3 activity. To detect apoptotic features, the cells treated with MMDT were stained with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Cell motility was examined by Boyden chamber assay and Real-time Cell Index of Migration assay. Gelatin zymography also performed to measure matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 activity. Results : We found that MMDT significantly inhibited cell proliferation and increased caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. Apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies were observed in MMDT-treated cells by DAPI staining. MMDT also suppressed PMA-induced cell motility and activities of MMP-2/9. Conclusions : Our results exhibited that MMDT possess the anti-carcinogenetic and anti-metastatic activities via caspase-3 activation and down-regulation of cell motility and invasion in HepG2 cells. Therefore, these findings suggest that MMDT could be potentially applied to the prevention and treatment of cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.421-427
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• 2015

Imperatorin has been known to exert many biological functions including anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of imperatorin on the production of inflammatory mediators in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC). Imperatorin inhibited degranulation and the generation of eicosanoids (leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) and prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) in IgE/antigen (Ag)-stimulated BMMC. To elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in this process, we investigated the effect of imperatorin on intracellular signaling in BMMC. Biochemical analyses of the IgE/Ag-mediated signaling pathway demonstrated that imperatorin dramatically attenuated degranulation and the production of 5-lipoxygenase-dependent $LTC_4$ and cyclooxygenase-2-dependent $PGD_2$ through the inhibition of intracellular calcium influx/phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$, cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$/mitogen-activated protein kinases and/or nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ pathways in BMMC. These results suggest that the effects of imperatorin on inhibition of degranulation and eicosanoid generation through the suppression of multiple steps of IgE/Ag-mediated signaling pathways would be beneficial for the prevention of allergic inflammation.