• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.757-764
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• 2014

Many researchers have studied algae as a source of material having potential biological activities, not least because many marine algae extracts have strong antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Pyropia yezoensis extract (PYE) on RAW 264.7 cells by measuring nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activity, inducible NOS (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (1L-$1{\beta}$), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$). PYE decreased the production of intracellular ROS dose-dependently and increased SOD and catalase activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. PYE significantly suppressed the production of NO and reduced the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-${\kappa}B$. PYE treatment also inhibited the production of IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ significantly and reduced the phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK significantly in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that PYE has potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.1852-1857
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina maxima treated with ultrasonication and water extraction process. S. maxima extracted via ultrasonication showed low cytotoxicity (16.90%) in a normal human cell line, CCD-986sk. Especially, S. maxima ultrasonication extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activities (46.82%) compared to water extract (31.30%) at $100^{\circ}C$. In addition, ultrasonication extract showed a high amount of flavonoids (21.60 mg/g) and total phenols ($8.36{\mu}g/mL$). Nitric oxide production by 1.0 mg/mL of S. maxima ultrasonication extract strongly inhibited ($1.3770{\mu}M$), whereas water extract showed lower inhibition ($1.5784{\mu}M$). TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 cytokines were effectively inhibited by 1.0 mg/mL of S. maxima ultrasonication extract, which shows strong antioxidant activities. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the ultrasonication process increase anti-inflammatory activity of S. maxima extract.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2023

Myriophyllum spicatum L. has been used as an ornamental in ponds and aquariums, and as a folk remedy for inflammation and pus. Nevertheless, the biological activity and underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects are unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Myriophyllum spicatum L. (EMS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Antioxidant activity of EMS was assessed by radical-scavenging effects on ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. As inflammatory response parameters produced by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were quantified to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of EMS. Our results showed that EMS increased FRAP and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. In EMS-treated RAW 264.7 cells, the production of NO, PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly inhibited at the non-cytotoxic concentration. In addition, EMS significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated the toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/myeloid differentiation protein (MyD) 88 signaling pathway, and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB). Positive correlations were noted between anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity. In conclusion, it was indicated that EMS suppresses the transcription of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby suppressing LPS-stimulated inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. This study highlights the potential role of EMS against inflammation and associated diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.827-843
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitochondrial DNA leakage leads to inflammatory responses via endosome activation. This study aims to evaluate whether the perennial grass water extract (Pogonatherum panicum) ameliorate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. MATERIALS/METHODS: The major bioactive constituents of P. paniceum (PPW) were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, after which their antioxidant activities were assessed. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, resulting in mitochondrial damage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the gene expression and cytokines. RESULTS: Our results showed that PPW extract-treated activated cells significantly decrease reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels by reducing the p2^phox and iNOS expression and lowering cytokine-encoding genes, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, PG-E2 and IFN-γ relative to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that LPS enhanced the mtDNA leaked into the cytoplasm, increasing the transcription of Tlr9 and signaling both MyD88/Irf7-dependent interferon and MyD88/NF-κb p65-dependent inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression but which was alleviated in the presence of PPW extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that PPW extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by facilitating mtDNA leakage and lowering the Tlr9 expression and signaling activation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.158-172
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• 2017

Nigella sativa (N. sativa, family Ranunculaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been widely used for centuries throughout the world as a natural remedy. A wide range of chemical compounds found in N. sativa expresses its vast therapeutic effects. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main component (up to 50%) in the essential oil of N. sativa. Also, pinene (up to 15%), p-cymene (40%), thymohydroquinone (THQ), thymol (THY), and dithymoquinone (DTQ) are other pharmacologically active compounds of its oil. Other terpenoid compounds, such as carvacrol, carvone, 4-terpineol, limonenes, and citronellol, are also found in small quantities in its oil. The main pharmacological characteristics of this plant are immune system stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, anti-tussive, milk production, uricosuric, choleretic, anti-fertility, and spasmolytic properties. In this regard, we have searched the scientific databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with keywords of N. sativa, anti-cancer, apoptotic effect, antitumor, antioxidant, and malignancy over the period from 2000 to 2017. The effectiveness of N. sativa against cancer in the blood system, kidneys, lungs, prostate, liver, and breast and on many malignant cell lines has been shown in many studies, but the molecular mechanisms behind that anti-cancer role are still not clearly understood. From among the many effects of N. sativa, including its anti-proliferative effect, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS generation, anti-metastasis/anti-angiogenesis effects, Akt pathway control, modulation of multiple molecular targets, including p53, p73, STAT-3, PTEN, and $PPAR-{\gamma}$, and activation of caspases, the main suggestive anti-cancer mechanisms of N. sativa are its free radical scavenger activity and the preservation of various anti-oxidant enzyme activities, such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and the anti-cancer effects of N. sativa, with a focus on its molecular targets in apoptosis pathways.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.136-143
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• 2019

In this study, we analyze the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of various extracts of Cryptoporus volvatus. Three extracts were prepared using hot-water, 70% ethanol, and 70% methanol. Compared to the hot-water and 70% methanol extracts, the 70% C. volvatus ethanol extracts showed significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging activities (76.1%), nitrite scavenging activities (29.5%), and total polyphenol content (9.17 mg GAE/g). The DPPH radical and nitrite scavenging activities of C. volvatus both correlated significantly with the total polyphenol content. The Pearson's correlation coefficient of DPPH radical and nitrite scavenging activities with total polyphenol content were r = 0.744 (p<0.05) and r = 0.921 (p<0.01), respectively. To test their anti-inflammatory effects, nitric oxide production and cell viability were measured by performing nitric oxide (NO) and MTT assays on lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells. The NO production levels of the 70% ethanol extract-treated cells were slightly lower than those of the others. In our MTT assay, the hot-water extracts showed higher cell viabilities (81.4%) than those of 70% ethanol and 70% methanol extracts. The ${\beta}$-glucan content of C. volvatus was 37.8%. From the results of this study, it is suggested that C. volvatus, an easily accessible wild mushroom, has potential to be used in the development of medicines, cosmetics, and functional health foods.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2014

Objectives : Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in a wide spectrum of diseases including chronic inflammation and cancer. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts from the herbal teas such as Lonicera japonica Thunberg (L. japonica), Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat (C. morifolium), Mentha arvensis L. (M. arvensis), and P.rhizoma. Methods : Anti-oxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay and $Fe^{2+}$ chelating assay. And DNA cleavage assay was performed to evaluate an anti-oxidative effect. Anti-inflammatory effect was performed using NO generation assay and western blot in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell line. Results : L. japonica scavenged DPPH radical by 9.8% at 12.5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 24.8% at 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, 34.3% at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 61.1% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 75.8% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, C. morifolium and M. arvensis removed DPPH radical by 15.6% and 10.4% at 12.5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 34.8% and 22.8% at 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, 66.9% and 43.3% at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 87.4% and 69.1% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, and 92.1% and 73.2% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. However, P. rhizoma did not affect on DPPH radical scavenging. The $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity was highest in L. japonica, but lowest in P. rhizoma among the herbal teas. In addition, the extracts from L. japonica, C. morifolium and M. arvensis inhibited oxidative DNA damage via its anti-oxidant activity. In anti-inflammatory effect, the extracts from C. morifolium inhibited NO production. In addition, it suppressed the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : Together, this study indicates that L. japonica, M. arvensis and C. morifolium possess the protective effect against the oxidative DNA damage. Furthermore, C. morifolium exerts an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.194-202
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• 2015

Agaricus brasiliensis, belonging to the family Agaricaceae of Agaricales, Basidiomycota, has been used for edible and medicinal purposes. This study was initiated to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and nitric oxide inhibitory activities of fruiting bodies of A. brasiliensis extracted with methanol. The HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds from the mushroom extracts identified 10 phenolic compounds including gallic acid, procatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, (-)-epicatechin, vanillin, rutin hydrate, naringin, quercetin, formononetin, and biochanin-A. The free radical scavenging activities of methanol extract were lower than that of positive control, BHT. The chelating effects of methanol extract were significantly higher than those of the positive control, BHT at the all concentrations tested. The methanol extract exhibited the lower reducing power activities compared with the positive control at the 0.5~6.0 mg/mL concentration. The mushroom extract inhibited the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity by 54.48% and 78.43% at the 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL while acarbose, the positive control, inhibited the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity by 51.77% and 81.81% at the same concentrations, respectively. Nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccahride (LPS) induced RAW 264.7 cells were inhibited by the methanol extracts in a concentration dependent manner. Therefore, it is concluded that fruiting bodies of A. brasiliensis contained natural antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory substances which can be useful for human health.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.263-270
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• 2019

Hydrogen sulfide is well-known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities, and also has protective effects in the liver. This study aimed to examine the protective effect of hydrogen sulfide in rats with hepatic encephalopathy, which was induced by mild bile duct ligation. In this rat model, bile ducts were mildly ligated for 26 days. Rats were treated for the final 5 days with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS). NaHS ($25{\mu}mol/kg$), 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, or silymarin (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally once per day for 5 consecutive days. Mild bile duct ligation caused hepatotoxicity and inflammation in rats. Intraperitoneal NaHS administration reduced levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, which are indicators of liver disease, compared to levels in the control mild bile duct ligation group. Levels of ammonia, a major causative factor of hepatic encephalopathy, were also significantly decreased. Malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, catalase, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ levels were measured to confirm antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors with neurotoxic activity were assessed for subunit NMDA receptor subtype 2B. Based on these data, NaHS is suggested to exhibit hepatoprotective effects and guard against neurotoxicity through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3343-3352
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• 2014

Chemoprevention is an attempt to use nontoxic natural and synthetic substances or their mixtures to intervene the relatively early stages of carcinogenesis, before invasive characteristics are manifested. The consumption of fruits is well known to reduce the risk of human cancers. Although most fruits are available only on a seasonal basis, recent advances in food processing technologies have made it possible to extend the shelf life of fruits and fruit-products. Fruits can be preserved by applying different drying processes to reduce the moisture content. Different varieties of dried fruits are now sold in supermarkets, thereby making them readily accessible to consumers. Since oxidative stress and chronic inflammation play important roles in cancer development, dried fruits with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties hold promise for cancer chemoprevention. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive activities of dried fruits are largely attributed to their polyphenols and vitamins. Dried fruits contain adequate amounts of bioactive principles, such as anthocyanins, acetogenins, catechins, coumarins, phenolic acids, terpenes, xanthones, and others. Since numerous health beneficial phytochemicals in fruits are conserved even after processing, regular intake of dried fruits can help prevent cancer. This review addresses the chemopreventive potential of representative dried fruits and their active constituents.