• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.35-57
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to prove the effect and mechanism of Gamikyejakjimogawusul-tang(GKHA) herbal acupuncture on induced rheumatoid arthritis model of DBA/1 mice. Methods : We check effect of GKHA extract on the AST, ALT, Creatinine, BUN of serum and cell viability of GK extract in RAW 264.7 cells to test the stability of this study. In vitro, we measure total phenol contents, total flavonoid contents, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ABTS cation radical scavenging activity of Gamikyejakjimogawusul-tang, effect of GK extract on ROS(Reactive Ooxygen Species) production to estimate a anti-oxidant capacity, and we also measure effect of GK extract on NO (Nitric Oxid), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, TNF-${\alpha}$, MCP-1, GM-CSF production in RAW 264.7 cells to estimate a anti-inflammatory efficacy. In vivo, we compare a rheumatoid arthritis manifestation between control and experimental group and estimate a AI. Then we check effect of GKHA on the level of WBC, neutrophil, lympocyte, monocyte in the blood to see the effect of immune cells in blood. In addition we measure effect of GKHA on the level of hs-CRP, IgM, IgG, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, TNF-${\alpha}$, MCP-1, GM-CSF in serum. We observe effects of GKHA on imaging of cartilage degeneration using micro CT-arthrography in paw hind. And we calculate effects of GKHA that reduced BV ratio, BS/BV ratio using 3D Micro-CT. Lastly we observe effects of GKHA histopathologic examination analysis. Results : 1. The toxicity on liver and kidney was disregardable and the cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cells was also disregardable. 1. Total phenol contents and total flavonoid contents in GK extract were in high level. 2. DPPH free radical scavenging activity and ABTS cation radical scavenging activity were increased according to concentration of GK extract 3. ROS production was significantly decreased in GK extract (at 10, $100{\mu}g/ml$). 4. NO, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, MCP-1 production were significantly decreased in GK extract(at 10, $100{\mu}g/ml$). IL-17, GM-CSF production were significantly decreased in GK extract(at 1, 10, $100{\mu}g/ml$). IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-21 production were also decreased but there was no statistical significance. 5. 25x observation after H&E and M-T staining, infiltration of immune cells and subsidence of the cartilage and damage to the synovial cells were decreased. Conclusions : This study showed that GKHA extract had anti-oxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory efficacy. GKHA extract also had inhibiting effect on the process of rheumatoid arthritis and can protect joint and cartilage. So we expect that GKHA extract can be a meaningful treatment to rheumatoid arthritis patients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.414-419
• /
• 2014

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that regulate cell-matrix composition and are also involved in processing various bioactive molecules such as cell-surface receptors, chemokines, and cytokines. Our group recently reported that MMP-3, -8, and -9 are upregulated during microglial activation and play a role as proinflammatory mediators (Lee et al., 2010, 2014). In particular, we demonstrated that MMP-8 has tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$)-converting enzyme (TACE) activity by cleaving the prodomain of TNF-${\alpha}$ and that inhibition of MMP-8 inhibits TACE activity. The present study was undertaken to compare the effect of MMP-8 inhibitor (M8I) with those of inhibitors of other MMPs, such as MMP-3 (NNGH) or MMP-9 (M9I), in their regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$ activity. We found that the MMP inhibitors suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells in an order of efficacy: M8I>NNGH>M9I. In addition, MMP inhibitors suppressed the activity of recombinant TACE protein in the same efficacy order as that of TNF-${\alpha}$ inhibition (M8I>NNGH>M9I), proving a direct correlation between TACE activity and TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion. A subsequent pro-TNF-${\alpha}$ cleavage assay revealed that both MMP-3 and MMP-9 cleave a prodomain of TNF-${\alpha}$, suggesting that MMP-3 and MMP-9 also have TACE activity. However, the number and position of cleavage sites varied between MMP-3, -8, and -9. Collectively, the concurrent inhibition of MMP and TACE by NNGH, M8I, or M9I may contribute to their strong anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.12
• /
• pp.1078-1084
• /
• 2020

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis is an insect belonging to the order Coleoptera. This insect is reported to contain large amounts of physiologically active substances useful for liver protective effect and improvements in blood circulation as well as a broad source of edible protein. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are found in a variety of species, from microorganisms to mammals, and play an important role in the innate immune systems of living things. Microglia are the main source of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in the central nervous system. Activated microglia secrete large amounts of neuroinflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-α, NO, and ROS), which are the main cause of neuronal cell death. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Protaetiamycine 6 (PKARKLQKLSAYKTTLRN-NH2), an AMP derived from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, on LPS-induced neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia. Protaetiamycine 6 significantly inhibited NO production without cytotoxicity and decreased the expression levels of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, Protaetiamycine 6 also reduced the production of neuroinflammatory cytokines on activated BV-2 microglia. These results suggest that Protaetiamycine 6 could be a good source of functional substance to prevent neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.1572-1578
• /
• 2008

In previous report, Seungmagalgeun-tang (SGT) could exert its anti-inflammatory actions in the BV-2 microglial cells. However, study on the anti-inflammatory effect of SGT in mast cells has not been identified. Therefore, we examined on the anti-inflammatory effect of SGT on the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. SGT inhibited the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and secretion and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-4 on RBL-2H3 cells, without affecting cell viability. The protein expression level of nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ (p65) was decreased in the nucleus by SGT. In addition, SGT suppressed the degradation of inhibitory protein $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ protein, the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein level in RBL-2H3 cells. These results suggest that SGT could be involved anti-allergic effect by control of NF-${\kappa}B$ (p65) translocation into the nucleus through inhibition of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation and suppression of COX-2 expression.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.123-127
• /
• 2020

Background: This study was designed using a mouse model of atopic dermatitis [phthalic anhydride (PA)-treated mice], to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of bee venom pharmacopuncture (BVP) in keratinocytes. Methods: Western blot analysis was performed to investigate inflammation related protein expression of iNOS, COX-2, phospho-ERK (p-ERK), and ERK, in LPS (1 ㎍/mL)-activated keratinocytes, following BVP treatment, and in PA-treated mice, after BVP treatment. Griess reaction was performed to investigate NO concentration. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to determine the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-4+, IL-17A+, IL-13 and IL-4 in PA-treated mice after BVP treatment. In addition, monocyte, macrophage, neutrophil, and eosinophil counts were measured to observe the changes in white blood cell infiltration. Results: The keratinocytes of the BVP-treated group showed a decreased expression of iNOS, COX-2, ERK at 5 OX-2, ERK E, and p-ERK at 1, 2 and 5 RKRK ERK ERK, and a dose-dependent decrease in NO concentration at 2 and 5 ntrationof s. In the BVP-treated groups (0.1 μ.1-trea μ.1-treated gr), PA-treated mice showed recovery after 4 weeks which was dose-dependent, showing a significant decrease in clinical scores for AD, and a decreased concentration of IL-13 and IL-4 with BV treatment. There was a dose-dependent decrease in the infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and a decreased thickness of the epidermis due to inflammation, and decreased expressions of iNOS, COX-2, p-ERK, ERK, especially in the 0.1 μ0/mL BVP-treated group, Conclusion: These results suggest that BVP may be an effective alternative treatment for atopic dermatitis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.219-228
• /
• 2015

Excessive microglial activation and subsequent neuroinflammation lead to synaptic loss and dysfunction as well as neuronal cell death, which are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of several neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the regulation of microglial activation has been evaluated as effective therapeutic strategies. Although dieckol (DEK), one of the phlorotannins isolated from marine brown alga Ecklonia cava, has been previously reported to inhibit microglial activation, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated here molecular mechanism of DEK via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Akt and nicotinamide adenine dinuclelotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-mediated pathways. In addition, the neuroprotective mechanism of DEK was investigated in microglia-mediated neurotoxicity models such as neuron-microglia co-culture and microglial conditioned media system. Our results demonstrated that treatment of anti-oxidant DEK potently suppressed phosphorylation of ERK in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $1{\mu}g/ml$)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. In addition, DEK markedly attenuated Akt phosphorylation and increased expression of $gp91^{phox}$, which is the catalytic component of NADPH oxidase complex responsible for microglial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Finally, DEK significantly attenuated neuronal cell death that is induced by treatment of microglial conditioned media containing neurotoxic secretary molecules. These neuroprotective effects of DEK were also confirmed in a neuron-microglia co-culture system using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-transfected B35 neuroblastoma cell line. Taken together, these results suggest that DEK suppresses excessive microglial activation and microglia-mediated neuronal cell death via downregulation of ERK, Akt and NADPH oxidase-mediated pathways.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.101-105
• /
• 2005

[ ${\beta}ig-h3$ ] is a secretory protein that is induced by $TGF-{\beta}$ and implicated in various disease conditions including fibrosis. We have previously reported that ${\beta}ig-h3$ expression is implicated in astrocyte response to brain injury. In this study, we further investigated potential roles of ${\beta}ig-h3$ protein in the injured central nervous system (CNS). We specifically assessed whether the treatment of microglial cells with ${\beta}ig-h3$ can regulate microglial activity. Microglial cells are the prime effector cells in CNS immune and inflammatory responses. When activated, they produce a number of inflammatory mediators, which can promote neuronal injury. We prepared conditioned medium from the stable CHO cell line transfected with human ${\beta}ig-h3$ cDNA. We then examined the effects of the conditioned medium on the LPS- or $IFN-{\gamma}-mediated$ induction of proinflammatory molecules in microglial cells. Preincubation with the conditioned medium significantly attenuated LPS-mediated upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression in BV2 murine microglial cells. It also reduced $IFN-{\gamma}-mediated$ upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA expression but not iNOS mRNA expression. Assays of nitric oxide release correlated with the mRNA data, which showed selective inhibition of LPS-mediated nitric oxide production. Although the regulatory mechanisms need to be further investigated, these results suggest that astrocyte-derived ${\beta}ig-h3$ may contribute to protection of the CNS from immune-mediated damage via controlling microglial inflammatory responses.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.227-236
• /
• 2019

In this study, the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities of an ethanol extracts of Ulmus divididiana var. japonica (UDE) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. UDE anti-oxidant activity was evaluated with an Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectrometer, which measured 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Cell viabilities were estimated using 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia were used to study the production of nitric oxide (NO). Cells stimulated with LPS produce more NO than normal control cells. However, cells treated with the UDE decreased this production in a concentration dependent manner (100, 250, 500, $1,000{\mu}g/mL$). Also, we investigated the anti-obese activity of UDE in SD rats. The SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: 10% low fat diet (N), 45% high fat diet (H), 45% high fat diet + garcinia extracts 200 mg/kg/day (HG200), high fat diet + UDE 200 mg/kg/day (HU200), high fat diet + UDE 400 mg/kg/day (HU400). UDE was found to lower whole body and abdominal and epididymal adipose tissue weights and lowered plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), compared to those in H group. Histological analyses of the liver and fat tissues of rat treated with UDE revealed significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and decreased size of adipocytes compared to the H group. These results suggest that UDE might be used to develop potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity agents, and may be useful as ingredients for related new functional raw materials.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.402-409
• /
• 2019

Korean red ginseng made from steaming and drying fresh ginseng has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine due to its effects on the immune, endocrine, and central nerve systems and its anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of a formulated Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) in response to lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria. RGE inhibited LTA-induced nitric oxide (NO) secretion and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in BV-2 microglial cells, without affecting cell viability. RGE also inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65 and degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$. In addition, RGE increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effect of RGE on iNOS expression was abrogated by small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of HO-1. Moreover, RGE induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. Furthermore, the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors suppressed RGE-mediated expression of HO-1, and RGE enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), p38, and c-JUN N-terminal kinases (JNKs). These results suggested that RGE suppressed the production of NO, a proinflammatory mediator, by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt- and MAPK-dependent signaling in LTA-stimulated microglia. The findings indicate that RGE could be used for the treatment of neuroinflammation induced by grampositive bacteria and that it may have therapeutic potential for various neuroinflammation-associated disorders.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.12-21
• /
• 2018

Photorhabdus temperata (PT), a gram-negative bacterium, lives symbiotically within entomopathogenic nematodes. The insecticidal compounds derived from Photorhabdus are used as biopesticides in agriculture. However, the physiological properties are not well characterized. In the course of our screening for neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory substances from natural products, the culture broth of PT showed considerable activities. By activity-guided purification, five anthraquinones, namely, 3-methoxychrysazine (1), 1,3-dimethoxy-8-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (2), 1,3,8-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (3), 3,8-dihydroxy-1-methoxy-9,10-anthraquinone (4), and 1,3,4-trimethoxy-8-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (5), were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the PT culture broth. Among the isolated compounds, $75{\mu}M$ 3 significantly protected mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22) against 5 mM glutamate-induced cell death via the inhibition of reactive oxygen species production, $Ca^{2+}$ influx, and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, 3 and 4 effectively suppressed the interferon-${\gamma}$-induced neuroinflammation of mouse-derived microglial cells (BV2) at 10 ng/ml, via the reduction of nitric oxide, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. Anthraquinones 3 and 4 derived from the PT culture broth are a potential starting point to discover neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory drug leads. The novel compound 5 is reported for the first time in this study.