• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.174-181
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• 2006

Objective : Based on the immunological dysfunction in RA and the immunological feature of Clematis mandshurica Maxim. herbal acupuncture solution (CM-HAS), this study examined whether subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of CM-HAS has anti-inflammatory effects on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the rat. Methods : Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. Secondary paw swelling of AA rats was measured, and polyarthritis index was scored. The administration of CM-HAS (2, 5, 10 mg/kg) to the Sinsu-hyul (BL 23) acupuncture point subcutaneously (s.c.) inhibited the inflammatory response and restored the weight of body and immune organs of AA rats. In this study. inhibitory effect of CM-HAS on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was evaluated. The plant material selected for this study has been used in Korean medicine for the treatment of various diseases that are considered as inflammatory in nature, e.g. asthma, arthritis, rheumatism, fever, edema, infections, snakebite and related inflammatory diseases. Results : There were significant secondary inflammatory reactions in AA rats, accompanied with the simultaneous decrease of body and immune organs weight. The administration of CM-HAS (2, 5, 10 mg/kg, s.c.) improved the above changes significantly. CM-HAS showed inhibitory activity against COX-2, which supports their traditional uses. In this study, aspirin and indomethacin were used to contrast with CM-HAS as the COX-2 inhibitors. Conclusion: The findings of this study may explain at least in part why CM-HAS has been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.27-43
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of AI on AD induced by DNCB in mice. AI has antiallergic property that is useful in treating allergy-related-diseases, such as asthma, anaphylactic shock, acute bronchitis and skin diseases, skin pruritus from gastrointestinal diseases. However, AI has not been studied intensively yet regarding anti-inflammatory effect on AD. Therefore, this study was conducted on 2,4-dinitrochlorobezene (DNCB)-induced mice to investigate effects of AI in AD. Methods In the experiment, we divided mice into four groups: a normal group (NOR), a control group (CON), an AI spread group (AI spread), and an AI spread and feeding group (AI spread & feeding). Then examined the changes in the body weight, weights of spleen and ear, thickness of dorsum skin and ear skin, clinical aspects on dorsum skin, historical assessments, proliferation of splenocytes in vitro and in vivo, and cytokine (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-10). Results From the experiment, the ear weight of AI spread & feeding group was significantly dropped and the ear thickness of both AI spread and AI spread & feeding were decreased significantly. Dorsum skin thickness was also decreased significantly in both AI spread and AI spread & feeding group. Also, AI treatment improved the symptoms of AD, such as coloration, erythema and desquamation and had a better effect on AI spread & feeding group. In histopathological observation, thickened epidermis, hyperkeratosis, pigmentation, hypergranulosis, parakeratosis were diminished as well in both AI spread and AI spread & feeding group. In vitro, we could observe when AI was increased as proliferation rate of splenocytes were increased, too. Conclusions In conclusion, these data suggest that AI can decrease symptoms of AD and show AI can be useful herbal therapy for AD.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.36-45
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• 2012

Objectives Perillae Folium (PF) has been widely used in Korean herbal medicines used for treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rhinitis, asthma, and enteritis. In this study, to investigate the protective effect of PF on type 1 allergic response, we determined whether PF inhibits early or late allergic responses. Methods The effect of PF was analyzed by ELISA,. RT-PCR and Western blot in RBL-2H3 cells. Levels of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, interleukin (IL)-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). mRNA levels of cytokines and enzymes were analyzed with RT-PCR. Signal transduction was analyzed with Western blot. Results We found that PF suppressed ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 by the IgE-DNP-HSA stimulation. PF also significantly inhibited enzymes level, such as COX-1, COX-2, iNOS, and HDC2, along with reduced cytokine levels, such as IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3. In addition, PF suppressed the phospholyation of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Conclusions Our results indicate that PF protects against type 1 allergic response and exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and expression of cytokines and enzymes via the suppression of signal transduction.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.365-370
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• 2016

Atopic dermatitis refers to a chronic, recurrent, skin condition, typically typified by itching, inflamed skin. It precedes other allergic diseases, such as asthma, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis, and is usually accompanied by various other immune disorders and secondary symptoms. In this study, we discovered that when treating TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$-stimulated HaCaT cells with various concentrations of Picea wilsonii Mast (PwM) extracts, the cell viability was excellent. In addition, we measured the inflammatory cytokines associated with atopic dermatitis, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, and MCP-1. The production of IL-6, IL-13, and MCP-1 decreased in the presence of PwM extracts, whereas there was no significant difference in the production of IL-8. Further studies are necessary to develop an effective cure for atopic dermatitis and inflammation using foreign plant extracts, and PwM efficacy should be determined with an in-depth, objective verification process using protein and mechanism analysis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2011

Objectives : Ulmus davidiana (UD) has been widely used in Korean herbal medicines used for treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rhinitis, asthma, and abscess. In this study, To investigated the protective effect of UD on type 1 allergic response, we determined whether UD inhibits early and late allergic response. Methods : The effect of UD was analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 cells. Levels of ${\beta}$ -hexosaminidase, interleukin (IL)-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). mRNA levels of COX-2 and T-helper type 2(Th2) cytokines were analyzed with RT-PCR. Results : We found that UD suppressed ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 not only by the PMA plus A23187 stimulation, but also by the IgE-DNP-HSA stimulation at the antigen-antibody binding stage and antibody-receptor binding stage. UD also significantly inhibited COX2 level, along with reduced Th2 cytokine levels, such as IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3. Conclusions : Our results indicate that UD protects against type 1 allergic response and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and expression of COX2 and Th2 cytokines.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

In chronic airway inflammatory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, it has been suggested that matrix metalloproteinases secreted from infiltrating neutrophil contribute the pathogenesis of the disease and have been a focus of intense investigation. We report here that hamster tracheal surface epithelial goblet cells (HTSE cells) produce matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Matrix metalloproteinase activities were investigated using [$^3H$]collagen-digestion assay and gelatin zymography. The subtype of matrix metalloproteinases expressed from HTSE cells was MMP-2 (gelatinase A), which was determined by Western blot with various subtype selective anti-matrix metalloproteinase antibodies. The MMP-2 and TIMP-2 cDNAs from HTSE cells were partially cloned by RT-PCR and they reveal more than 90% of sequence homology with those from human, rat and mouse. The collagenolytic activity was increased with the secretory differentiation of the HTSE cell and it was found that zymogen activation was responsible for the increased MMP-2 activity in HTSE cells. The results from the present study suggest that the metaplastic secretory differentiation of airway goblet cells may affect chronic airway inflammatory process by augmenting the zymogen activation of MMP-2.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.246-253
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• 2014

Codonopsis lanceolata has been used as an herbal medicine for several lung inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. Previously, we showed the neuroprotective effect of steamed and fermented C. lanceolata (SFC) in vitro and in vivo. In the current study, the treatment of HT22 cells with SFC decreased glutamate-induced cell death, suggesting that SFC protected HT22 cells from glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Based on these, we sought to elucidate the mechanisms of the neuroprotective effect of SFC by measuring the oxidative stress parameters and the expression of Bax and caspase-3 in HT22 cells. SFC reduced contents of ROS, $Ca^{2+}$ and NO. Moreover, SFC restored contents of glutathione and glutathione reductase as well as inhibited Bax and caspase-3 activity in HT22 cells. These results indicate that steamed and fermented C. lanceolata (SFC) extract protected HT22 cells by anti-oxidative effect and inhibition of the expression of Bax and caspase-3.

• 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.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng (KRG) is reported to have anti-allergic properties, including beneficial effects on asthma and atopic dermatitis. However, its effect on allergic rhinitis has not been studied extensively. This study examined how KRG affected allergic inflammation of the nasal cavity in an allergic mouse model. A total of 40 Balb/c female mice were divided into four experimental groups according to treatment and allergic state: group 1 (G1), saline only; group 2 (G2), ovalbumin (OVA); group 3 (G3), OVA+KRG; and group 4 (G4), OVA+dexamethasone. Serum IgE levels were significantly lower in the KRG treatment group (G3) than in the allergic group (G2). However, serum IgG1 levels did not differ between G2 and G3. In the nasal lavage fluid, IL-4 and IL-5 levels were significantly lower in G3 than in G2 (p<0.05). H&E and Luna staining revealed that the eosinophil count was lower in G3 and G4 than in G2 (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that there were fewer IL-4-, IL-5-, and MUC5AC-positive cells in G3 and G4 than in G2 (p<0.05). These results indicate that KRG reduces the nasal allergic inflammatory reaction in an allergic murine model by reducing Th2 cytokines.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study is to present the standard for practical application of ginger herbal pharmacopuncture Material and Methods : We refer to ancient literatures and the recent papers for ginger. Conclusions : The following results have been obtained 1. The effect of ginger(Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is to "release exterior", "balance nutrient & defensive qi", "resolve phlegm", "arrest coughing", "warm the lungs". So ginger herbal pharmacopuncture can be applied to treating fever, chilling sign, headchae, snuffle and gasping cough due to cold affection and treating the symptoms like sputum and asthma that be revealed by pulmonary disease. 2. The effect of ginger is to "warm spleen and stomach", "arrest vomiting" "promote normal flow of water". So ginger herbal pharmacopuncture can be applied to treating nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension and diarrhea due to phlegm & dampness and treating edema. 3. The effect of ginger is to eliminate blood stasis. So ginger herbal pharmacopuncture can be applied to treating contusion, blood stasis, sprain and gynecologic disease. 4. Ginger can treat myalgia and pain due to wind-damp and have anti-inflammatory effect in pharmacology. So ginger herbal pharmacopuncture can be applied to treating disease of joint, ligament and muscle. 5. Ginger can resolve phlegm and resuscitate. So ginger herbal pharmacopuncture can be applied to treating unconsciousness. But, treating incipient cardiovascular accident, it needs to call your special attention to the danger of blood pressure increase. 6. In pharmacology, ginger is effective for antitumor, antioxidant effects and activating immunocyte. So ginger herbal pharmacopuncture can be applied to treating broadly varieties of tumor and allergic disease.