• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 2015

Citrus peel (CP) is used as a traditional herb with diverse beneficial pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-allergic effects. However, the anti-obesity effects of citrus peel are poorly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate ethanol extracts of citrus peel (EECP) for its adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate an EECP for its adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Treatment with EECP significantly suppressed the terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in lipid droplet number and lipid content and an accumulation of cellular triglyceride. EECP exhibited potential adipogenesis inhibition and downregulated the expression of pro-adipogenic transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory elementbinding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancerbinding proteins α (C/EBPα) and C/EBPβ, and adipocyte expressed genes, such as adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and Leptin. In addition, EECP treatment effectively activated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway; however, compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK, significantly reduced the EECP-induced inhibition of adipogenesis. Taken together, these results indicate EECP showed strong anti-obesity effects through the AMPK signaling pathway, and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-obesity activity of EECP.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.116-125
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• 2001

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) production has been described as a double-edged sword eliciting both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in different immune reactions. This work was undertaken to investigate the immunoregulatory role of NO in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) and experimental allergic uveitis (EAU). Method: We examined whether molsidomine (MSDM), a NO donor, administration to the myelin basic protein (MBP)- or interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP)-immunized rats could suppress EAE development by shifting toward the Th2 cytokine response. In the EAE experiments, the rats were treated orally with MSDM (10 mg/kg/day) at the early stage (-1~4 days) or throughout the experimental period (-1~15 days). Results: This resulted in significant amelioration of the disease and mild clinical symptoms, while MBP-immunization without MSDM administration showed severe EAE development. A marked reduction in inflammation was also observed in the spinal cord, indicating the crucial role of NO in the pathogenesis of EAE in in vivo. In the EAU experiments, a 24 h pre-treatment with MSDM prior to IRBP immunization resulted in significant inhibition of the disease. Furthermore, MSDM administration for 2 1 days completely reduced the incidence and severity of EAU. To investigate whether MSDM could modulate cytokine switching from Th 1 to Th2, culture supernatants of MBP- or IRBP-stimulated inguinal lymphocytes were analyzed. MSDM treatment enhanced IL-10 secretion but decreased IFN-${\gamma}$. IL-4 was undetectable in all groups. In contrast, the MBP-or IRBP-immunized rats without MSDM secreted high concentrations of IFN-${\gamma}$, but low concentrations of IL-10. Conclusion: In conclusion, NO administation suppresses EAE and EAU by modulating the Th1/Th2 balance during inflammatory immune responses. This work further suggests that NO may be useful in the therapeutic control of autoimmune disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.40-53
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• 1998

Mast cells play an important role in the pathophysiologlcal changes observed in acute cutaneous and inflammatory diseases In order to see whether Kum-Hwang-San has an influence on mast cell- mediated immediate cutaneous reactions, the author has undertaken an animal study. Ears of mice were treated with a compound 48/80 solution topically at 30 min after the cutaneous application of Kum-Hwang-San. At each point, an ear swelling response was measured with a digimatic thickness micrometer. Ear swelling response induced by compound 48/80 was significantly suppressed dose-dependently by Kum-Hwang-San 30 min before topical application as compared with that in nonapplicated control mice, and the value returned to normal levels by 120 min. Compound 48/80- induced mast cell degranulation by Kum-Hwang-San was also remarkably decreased in accordance with the suppression in ear swelling response. Kum-Hwang-San dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80. Another way to test acute cutaneous reaction is to induce passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction. Kum-Hwang-San significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl IgE on both topical application and intradermal injection. Kum-Hwang-San also inhibited histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells induced by anti-DNP IgE. This study provides evidence that Kum-Hwang-San will be beneficial in the treatment of acute cutaneous diseases.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2001

Sophoricoside was isolated as the inhibitor of IL-5 bioactivity from Sophora japonica (Leguminosae). It has been reported to has an anti-inflammatory effect on rat paw edema model. To develope as an anti-allergic drug, genotoxicity of sophoricoside was investigated in bacterial and mammalian cell system such as Ames bacterial reversion test, chromosomal aberration assay and single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay. As results, in the range of 1,250~40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/plate sophoricoside concentrations was not shown significant mutagenic effects in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535 and TA 1537 strains in Ames test. The 80% cell growth inhibition concentration (IC/SUB 80/) of sophoricoside was determined as above 5,000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) fibroblast cell and L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line for the chromosomal aberration and comet assay, respectively. Sophoricoside was not induced chromosomal aberration in CHL fibroblast cell at concentrations of 700, 350 and 175 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ or 600, 300 and 150 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ in the absence or presence of S-9 metabolic activation system, respectively. Also, in the comet assay, the induction of DNA damage was not observed in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line both in the absence or presence of S-9 metabolic activation system. From these results, no genotoxic effects of sophoricoside were observed in bacterial and mammalian cell systems used in these experiments.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.32-41
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• 2012

Objectives: Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture solution (RGPS) was investigated to determine both its anti-allergic inflammatory effects on mast cells and its detailed mechanism of actions. Methods: We investigated whether RGPS suppress cytokines, enzymes, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ expression and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with anti-DNP IgE/DNP-HSA. The suppressive effects of RGPS on the levels of cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and GM-CSF were measured using emzyme-linked immunospecific assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of cytokines, enzymes (HDC2, COX-1, COX-2 and 5LO) and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}{\beta}{\gamma}$ subunits were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The activation of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling was examined using Western blot analyses. Results: RGPS suppressed production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and GM-CSF) in stimulated RBL-2H3 cells significantly (p < 0.05). RGPS also suppressed mRNA expression of inflammatory enzymes (HDC2, COX-1, COX-2, 5LO). In addition, mRNA expression levels of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\alpha}$, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\beta}$and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\gamma}$ were lowered by treatment with RGPS. Finally, RGPS prevented phosphrylation of Lyn, Syk, LAT, Gab2, PLC ${\gamma}1/2$, PI3K, Akt, cPLA2 and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Conclusions: RGPS effectively suppresses mast cell activations such as degranulation and inflammatory response via down-regulation of the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling pathways in IgE/Ag-stimulated mast cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.328-337
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• 2012

In order to investigate anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-obesity activities of Samchulkunbi-tang (SCT; Shen zhu jian pi-tang) water and 70% ethanol (EtOH) extracts, in vitro inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ $PGE_2$), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) and regulated on activation of normal T-cell-expressed and -secreted (RANTES/CCL5) production in TNF-${\alpha}$/interferon-${\gamma}$-stimulated HaCaT and BEAS-2B cells as well as glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity and leptin production in 3T3-L1 cells were determined. A HPLC was used for quantification of the seven marker components (albiflorin, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, naringin, hesperidin, poncirin and glycyrrhizin) of SCT water and 70% EtOH extracts. SCT showed inhibitory effects against MDC and RANTES production in HaCaT cells, as well as RANTES production in BEAS-2B cells. In addition, SCT reduced not only NO, $PGE_2$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in RAW 264.7 cells, but also GPDH activity and leptin production in 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, the biological activities and the contents of six compounds (except paeoniflorin) were higher in 70% EtOH extract than water extract. These results suggest that SCT has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-obesity activities. These efficacies of 70% EtOH extract are relatively higher than that of water extract.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.83-93
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• 2020

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is present in colostrum, milk, and other body secretions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of lactoferrin hydrolysates (LHs) on the production of immunomodulatory factors, including inflammatory related cytokines. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB reporter assay using human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK-293) revealed that NF-κB activity was significantly decreased by 1, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL of LH and the fractions above and below the 10 kDa LH. The mRNA expression of interferon (IFN)-γ in rat basophilic leukemia mast cells (RBL-2H3) treated with the fraction above the 10 kDa LH decreased in a dose-dependent manner, but the cells treated with LH and the fraction below the 10 kDa LH showed an increased expression of IFN-γ in a dose-dependent manner. The level of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression decreased dose-dependently in RBL-2H3 cells treated with LH and the fraction above the 10 kDa LH, but the cells treated with the fraction below the 10 kDa LH showed an increased COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-4) was dose-dependently decreased by the fraction below the 10 kDa LH in human mast cells (HMC-1). The mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 were significantly dose-dependently decreased by the fractions above and below the 10 kDa LH, but was dose-dependently increased by LH. The production of IL-4 was a little increased by the fraction above the 10 kDa LH compared to the positive control, but was decreased with LH and the fraction below the 10 kDa LH in HMC-1 cells. It was concluded that LF hydrolysates had an immunomodulating effect on anti-, pro-inflammatory and anti-allergic reactions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.409-416
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• 2017

1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-${\beta}$-D-glucose (PGG) is a gallotannin isolated from Galla Rhois. In a previous study, PGG was shown to suppress the allergic response by attenuating immunoglobulin E production both in vitro and in vivo. However, the effect of PGG on bacteria-induced inflammation at physiological concentration remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PGG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. PGG inhibited release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ by alleviating protein expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, PGG suppressed the release of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ induced by LPS. Further study indicated that PGG blocked translocation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ from the cytosol into the nucleus, which is one of the underlying mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory action of PGG. Collectively, these data suggest that PGG might be useful for the treatment of inflammatory disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.1263-1269
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• 2010

This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant activities and anti-asthma effects of Morus bark water extracts. Inhibitory effect of Morus bark onto free radical generation was determined by measuring DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities in vitro. Anti-asthma activities of Morus bark water extracts were assessed by testing their effects on the degranulation of mast cell. For this, $\beta$-hexosaminidase released from a basophilic cell line, RBL-2H3 was used and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The antioxidant activities of water extracts of Morus bark was 59.2% in the DPPH assay at $2,000\;{\mu}g/mL$ and 78.8% in the hydroxyl radical scavenging assay at $2,000\;{\mu}g/mL$. Our results indicated that Morus bark water extracts effectively inhibited free radical generation. Morus bark water extracts inhibited inflammation-mediating substances such as histamine and $\beta$-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells. Cytokine release demonstrated a more effective blockading ability of the Morus bark water extracts to the release of IL-4 and TNF-$\alpha$ compared to control. These results demonstrate that Morus bark may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic inflammatory disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.369-377
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• 2013

In order to increase the utilization of sweet potato leaves and stalks as much as roots, it is necessary to study their beneficial potential. In this study, the antioxidant, antiallergic and anti-inflammatory effects of sweet potato leaves and stalks were evaluated by measuring total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging effects, the reducing power and inhibition effects on xanthine oxidase (XO), 5-lipoxygenase (LOX), and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 activities. Blanched sweet potato leaves (SL), raw whole purple stalks (ST) and peeled stalks (PST) were freeze-dried and extracted with 95% ethanol. Total polyphenol content was highest in SL (11.03 mg/g), followed by ST (0.87 mg/g), and PST (0.37 mg/g). Total flavonoid content was highest for SL (9.01 mg/g), followed by ST (0.50 mg/g) and PST (0.25 mg/g). The $IC_{50}$ for DPPH radical scavenging effects was highest for SL ($43.6{\mu}g/mL$), followed by ST ($308.4{\mu}g/mL$) and PST ($1,631.3{\mu}g/mL$). The reducing power was highest for SL ($59.72{\mu}g$ ascorbic acid eq./mL), followed by ST ($12.56{\mu}g$ ascorbic acid eq./mL) and PST ($2.18{\mu}g$ ascorbic acid eq./mL) with $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ of ethanol extract. The inhibition rate on XO activity was highest for SL (13.06%), followed by ST (5.05%) and PST (0.0%) at $250{\mu}g/mL$ extract treatment. The inhibition rate on COX-2 activity was highest for SL (55.34%), followed by ST (2.18%) and PST (0.0%) at $250{\mu}g/mL$ extract treatment. The inhibition rate on 5-LOX activity was highest for SL (91.16%), followed by ST (33.38%) and PST (14.93%) at $50{\mu}g/mL$ treatment. Taken together, sweet potato leaves showed high antioxidative, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities, especially with very strong inhibition effects on 5-LOX activity. These beneficial effects of sweet potato leaves might be mainly caused by the high content of polyphenols and flavonoids.