• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.348-355
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• 2017

Aster yomena (AY) have been used as a traditional medicine to treat cough, bronchial asthma, and insect bites in Korea. In this study, we evaluated the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice by AY ethanol extract. Lipid accumulation measurement indicates that AY markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. qRT-PCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR-{\gamma}$) in 3T3-L1 cells were significantly down-regulated by AY treatment. And inhibited the expression of FAS, a protein responsible for lipid synthesis, transport and storage. Oral administration of AY (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg, P.O/daily for 4 weeks) was conducted in high-fat diet induced obese mice and C57BL/6 mice. AY was orally administered for 4 weeks to extract liver and epididymal fat, and hematoxylin and eosin staining(H&E staining) was observed. Observation showed that the fat concentration of liver tissue tended to decrease dose-dependently and decreased significantly at 500 mg/kg concentration. The AY-administered group of HFD-induced mice had a lower body weight gain, along with decreased triglycerides and total cholesterol compared with the control mice, however, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was increased. These results indicate that AY exhibits anti-obesity effects in obese mice by decreasing in serum lipid levels and lipogenesis related gene.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.457-462
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• 2012

The stem-bark of Kalopanax pictus (KP, family Araliaceae), of which main constituent is kalopanaxsaponin B, has been used for asthma, rhinitis, and arthritis in Chinese traditional medicine. To clarify anticolitic effect of KP, we examined anti-inflammatory effect of KP extract and kalopanaxsaponin B in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peritoneal macrophage and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitic mice. Of KP extracts, KP BuOH-soluble fraction most potently inhibited LPS-induced IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression, as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. However, KP BuOH fraction increased IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. KP BuOH fraction also inhibited colon shortening and myeloperoxidase activity in TNBS-induced colitic mice. KP BuOH fraction also potently inhibited the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ as well as the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. Kalopanaxsaponin B, a main constituent of KP, inhibited TNBS-induced colonic inflammation, including colon shortening, and TNBS-increased myeloperoxidase activity pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in mice. Based on these findings, KP, particularly its main constituent, kalopanaxsaponin B, may ameliorate colitis by inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.308-315
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• 2012

Opuntia humifusa known as the Eastern prickly pear have been used as a treatment of burns, diarrhea, asthma, rheumatism, gonorrhea, and diabetes in alternative medicine. O. humifusa is widely cultivated in the middle and southern provinces of Korea and distributed in North America. The aim of this study is to investigate anti-diabetic effect of O. humifusa stem (OHS) water or 80% MeOH extract using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and db/db mice animal models. OHS 80% MeOH extract at a dose of $250{\mu}g/ml$ significantly increased the glucose uptake and lipid accumulation compared with the control in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Blood glucose, plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced by oral treatment of OHS 80% MeOH extract (200 mg/kg BW) for 6 weeks in db/db mice. Also, the oral treatment of OHS 80% MeOH extract slightly changed the plasma insulin and insulin resistance levels in db/db mice, but were no significance in comparison to control. Glucose transporter(GLUT)4 expressions of adipose tissue and muscle were significantly increased more than that in the control. Therefore, these results suggest that OHS 80% MeOH extract inhibits the blood glucose level through regulation of lipid profile, insulin resistance, and GLUT4 expression in db/db mice and its diabetic effect is effective more than water extract.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.631-640
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee is a complex chemical mixture, with caffeine being the most well-known bioactive substance. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee and caffeine impact health in various aspects, including the respiratory system. The objective is to investigate the effects of coffee and caffeine on airway hyperresponsiveness and allergic reactions, as well as to analyze and compare associated cytokine profiles. MATERIALS/METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and given OVA inhalation to induce airway hypersensitivity. Two weeks after sensitization, they were intragastrically gavaged with coffee or caffeine, both containing 0.3125 mg caffeine, daily for 4 weeks. Control mice were fed with double-distilled water. Serum OVA-specific antibody levels were measured beforehand and 5 weeks after the first gavage. Airway hyperresponsiveness was detected by whole body plethysmography after gavage. Cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage and cultured splenocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: Coffee effectively suppressed T helper 2-mediated specific antibody response. Airway responsiveness was reduced in mice treated with either coffee or caffeine. Compared to the control, coffee significantly reduced OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1 and IgE antibody responses (P < 0.05). Caffeine also attenuated specific IgG and IgG1 levels, though IgE level was unaffected. Coffee significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-4 and increased IL-10 concentration in spleen cells and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee effectively attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness and systemic allergic responses induced by OVA food allergen in mice. As a complex composition of bioactive substances, coffee displayed enhanced immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects than caffeine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2024

Crocin is a major carotenoid of the Gardenia jasminoides fruit and Crocus sativus stigma (saffron), which are used in various cuisines as flavoring and coloring agents, as well as in phytomedicine for the treatment of several disorders, including headache, fever, edema, fatty liver, viral hepatitis, respiratory disease, menstruation disorders, insomnia, and hypertension. Crocin (C₄₄H₆₄O₂₄) is a chemical diester composed of the dicarboxylic acid crocetin and disaccharide gentiobiose. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted about the biological and pharmacological function and toxicity of crocin. Crocin has been revealed to have no genotoxicity and pathological manifestation. Crocin acts as an antioxidant, anti-cancer, memory enhancer, anxiolytic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, anti-atherosclerotic, cardioprotector, and hepatoprotector. Here, an inclusive review of crocin is introduced based on previously explored studies referred to in the literature. Different studies have confirmed the protective role of crocin in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, gastritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. It is surmised that crocin suppresses inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic processes through multiple mechanisms. Crocin is considered a safe and effective therapeutic choice for patients with inflammatory conditions, although more research investigating its mechanisms and results acquired in clinical trials are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2016

Variable systemic diseases affect larynx and vocal fold and result in voice change. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease make increase of intra-abdomimal pressure followed by reflux of gastric acid, which stimulate vagal-bronchopulomary reflex aggravating cough and respiratory disturbance. Fungal laryngitis in the general population is extremely rare, but can occur in immunocompromised AIDS patients. Although, initially, empirical antifungal therapy for candidiasis is often given without biopsy, diagnostic direct laryngoscopy and biopsy is imperative if a substantial clinical response is not rapidly achieved. In the highly active anti-retroviral therapy era, HIV-positive patients are living longer and are at higher risk for developing non-AIDS-defining malignancies. The incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC) which is related with human papilloma virus infection has increased. The survival is significantly lower among the AIDS-HNC patients with CD4 counts ${\leq}200cells/{\mu}L$. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cause voice disturbance by developing cricoarytenoid joints fixation or nodule on vocal fold. Post-menopausal voice disorder (PMVD) is caused by decreased secretion of estrogen-progesterone resulting in decrease of fundamental frequency (F0). Hormonal replacement therapy is helpful to reduce F0 decrease. RA and PMVD result in slight voice change, but it could crucial in professional voice user.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.244-249
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• 2014

Arazyme is a metalloprotease secreted by Aranicola proteolyticus that was previously shown to suppress cytokine expression of keratinocytes and endothelial cells and inhibit histopathological features in an atopic dermatitis-like animal model. However, the regulatory effects of arazyme in other allergic diseases have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether arazyme is effective against neutrophil apoptosis in allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Arazyme inhibited neutrophil apoptosis of normal subjects in a dose-dependent manner. However, the antiapoptotic effect of arazyme was reversed by LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, AKTi, an inhibitor of Akt, PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK, and BAY-11-7085, an inhibitor of NF-${\kappa}B$. Arazyme induced activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ via PI3K/Akt/ERK pathway. The anti-apoptotic effect of arazyme is associated with inhibition of cleavage of caspase 3 and caspase 9. Arazyme inhibited constitutive apoptosis of neutrophil in a dose-dependent manner in allergic subjects, and its mechanism was shown to be associated with PI3K/Akt/ERK/NF-${\kappa}B$. The results presented here improve our understanding of neutrophil apoptosis regulation and will facilitate development of drugs for treatment of allergic diseases.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2011

Objectives: This study analyzed the contents of the research papers of Maekmundong-tang (MMDT). This study was conducted to help development of new clinical application and clinical studies for treating COPD with Oriental medicine. Materials and Methods: We inspected 26 theses and scrutinized their classification, objective diseases, study design, participants, methodological quality of clinical trial. Results: The following results were obtained in this study. 1. The studies of MMDT started in 1989 and have continuously increased, but it decreased recently. 2. The studies were mainly focused on experimental models rather than clinical studies. The topics of studies were mainly relaxation of airway contraction and anti-asthmatic effect. 3. MMDT was showed to have effects on chronic cough and asthma in these papers. Conclusion: MMDT is being used in respiratory disease. However, mechanism study should be conducted at experimental study and more clinical studies on the efficacy of MMDT for chronic respiratory disease are needed.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2010

Mast cell-mediated allergic disease is involved in many diseases such as anaphylaxis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of allergic disease is an important subject in human health. In the present study, the effect of water extract of Gleditsiae Spina (WGS) (Leguminosae), on compound 48/80-induced systemic allergic reaction, anti-DNP IgE antibody-induced local allergic reaction, and histamine release from human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells were studied. In addition, the effect of WGS on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187)-induced gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines were investigated using HMC-1 cells. WGS was anally administered to mice for high and fast absorption. WGS inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic allergic reaction. WGS dose-dependently decreased the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. WGS reduced histamine release from HMC-1 cells. In addition, WGS decreased the gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in PMA plus A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. These findings provide evidence that WGS could be a candidate as an antiallergic agent.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.89-99
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• 2008

GPCRs are large families of cell surface receptors that transmit signals through conformational changes upon ligand activation and an interaction with the heterotrimeric G-proteins. GPCRs regulate the cell-signaling pathways and participate in the regulation of physiological processes through the G-proteins defined by their ${\alpha}$ subunits. A family of 20 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that provide a large class of tractable drug targets for new anti-inflammatory drugs and, in certain instances, for the treatment of the inflammatory indications such as atherosclerosis, rhinitis, asthma, pulmonary disease and arthritis. In view of the important findings showing that $G{\alpha}_{12}/G{\alpha}_{13}$ regulate the various cellular processes such as actin-stress fiber formation, neurite retraction, platelet aggregation, gene induction, and apoptosis, we became interested in whether, after coupling to the activated GPCRs, the G-proteins and their downstream molecules might be involved in the pathologic processes of chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., liver fibrosis). In this symposium, the possible link of the G-proteins with the pathophysiology will be discussed with the aim of finding potential new drug targets.