• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.509-514
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• 2008

Tremendous natural product extracts were used as a herb medicine remedy or therapy for centuries. Because these extracts have various biological activities, we examined the effects of Gryllotalpa orientalis extract for anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), hydroxy radical scarvenging and cyclooxygenase-2 promoter assays. Gryllotalpa orientalis extracts were prepared from solvents such as distilled water (DW), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol and methanol. The results showed that Gryllotalpa orientalis extracts have potent DPPH (methanol extract), FRAP (DW extract) and hydroxy radical scavenging (DW and methanol extracts) activity than any other extracts used. A significant inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) promoter activity was detected in the presence of DMSO extract or ethanol extract. Collectively, the present results suggested that Gryllotalpa orientalis extract could be used for anti-oxidant and/or anti-inflammation agent for human or agricultural purposes.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.165-176
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• 2003

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of Kami-hwal-hyeol-tang(KHHT) on the immune responses of synoviocyte cells prepared from the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and also on the collagen-mediated arthritis in mouse model. Several experiments were performed in vitro and in vivo to analyse the immunomodulatory effects of KHHT, and the major findings are summarized below: 1. KHHT did not show the cytotoxicity against mLFCs and hFLSs. 2. KHHT inhibited gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, NOS and GM-CSF in hFLSs. Furthermore, KHHT-treated hFLSs showed reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 compared to the control cells. 3. KHHT treatment of hFLSs inhibited the binding activity of NF-kB and AP-1 to their consensus DNA sequences. 4. KHHT treatment(400 ㎍/㎖) of hFLSs significantly inhibited hFLSs proliferations compared to the control cells. 5. KHHT significantly reduced the production of ROS in hFLSs compared to the control cells. The present data show that KHHT plays an important role for the regulation of AP-1 and NF-kB gene expression. Also, it was found that KHHT has anti-arthritis effect. Further studies of KHHT in relation to RA therapeutics may provide important information to develop drugs to treat this disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.526-531
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• 2012

During our on-going studies to identify bioactive compounds in medicinal herbs, we found that saucerneol F (SF), a naturally occurring sesquilignan isolated from Saururus chinensis (S. chinensis), showed in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we examined the effects of SF on the generation of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) dependent leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) dependent prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$), and on phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$ ($PLC{\gamma}1$)-mediated degranulation in SCF-induced mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). SF inhibited eicosanoid ($PGD_2$ and $LTC_4$) generation and degranulation dose-dependently. To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of eicosanoid generation and degranulation by SF, we examined the effects of SF on the phosphorylation of $PLC{\gamma}1$, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx, the translocation of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$) and 5-LO, and on the phosphorylation of MAP kinases (MAPKs). SF was found to reduce intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx by inhibiting $PLC{\gamma}1$ phosphorylation and suppressing the nuclear translocations of $cPLA_2$ and 5-LO via the phosphorylations of MAPKs, including extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. Taken together, these results suggest that SF may be useful for regulating mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses by inhibiting degranulation and eicosanoid generation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the trend of acne-related experimental studies in Korean medicine. Methods: We searched 17 articles related with experimental study of acne, published Korean medical journals from 2005 to 2014. We classified all articles according to the journal and checked on the kind of herbs. All articles were categorized into two types: cell experimental study and animal experimental study. Results: 1. Total 17 papers were searched; 7 articles (41.2%) were published in the Journal of Korean Medical Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology, 4 articles (23.5%) were published in the Journal of Korean Institute of Pharmacopuncture, 3 articles (17.6%) were published in Korean Journal of Oriental Physiology and Pathology, 2 articles (11.8%) were published in Korean Journal of Herbology, and 1 article (5.9%) was published in the Journal of Korean Medicine. 2. Total 17 kind of herbs were used in the studies; 10 articles (58.8%) used single herb, 7 articles (41.2%) used complex herbs. 3. Total 17 articles were categorized 2 types; 16 cell experimental studies (94.1%), 1 animal experimental study (5.9%). 4. Experimental researches were mainly investigated using Raw 264.7 cell line and P. acnes. The levels of NO, iNOS, $TNF-{\alpha}$, PGE, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, NF-kB were analyzed to confirm of herbs' antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Searching for natural antibiotics, it is needed to do experimental studies continuously, and also needed to diversify the kind herbs and experimental bacteria.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.587-601
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: UV radiation is a major factor contributing to DNA damage in skin cells, including stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, leading to the depletion of these crucial cells. This study examined whether a mixture of Indian gooseberry and barley sprout (IB) could inhibit UVB irradiation and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced photoaging and oxidative stress in the skin using HaCaT, Hs27, and B16F10 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The moisturizing-related factors, the collagen synthesis-related c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Fos/c-Jun/matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) pathway, and the melanogenesis-related cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-responsive binding protein (CREB)/melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF)/tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)/tyrosinase activation pathways were analyzed in vitro by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The IB complex increased the hyaluronic acid and sphingomyelin levels and the collagenase inhibitory activity, enhanced hydration-related factors, including collagen, hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS), elastin, long chain base subunit 1 (LCB1) (serine palmitoyltransferase; SPT), and delta 4-desaturase sphingolipid 1 (DEGS1), modulated the inflammatory cytokines levels, antioxidant enzyme activities and the NF-κB/MMPs/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, and inhibited wrinkle formation by down-regulation of the JNK/c-Fos/c-Jun/MMP pathway and up-regulation of the transforming growth factor-𝛽 receptor I (TGF𝛽R1)/small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad3)/procollagen type I pathway in UVB-irradiated Hs27 cells. Moreover, the IB complex prevented melanin production by down-regulating the PKA/CREB/MITF/TRP-1/TRP-2 pathway in IBMX-induced B16F10 cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the IB complex has the potential to serve as a safeguard, shielding the skin from UVB radiation-induced photo-damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2021

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant activities of subfractions of Peucedanum insolens Kitagawa root in various organic solvents and their anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. First, P. insolens Kitagawa roots were dried at room temperature for one week, chopped, and extracted with 70% ethanol. The resulting extracts were successively sub-fractionated with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water. The antioxidant potential of the fractions was evaluated using a DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay and by measuring total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. The anti-inflammatory potency of the fractions was evaluated by measuring the inhibition levels of the expressions of inflammatory-mediated genes and proteins (e.g., iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-6) in RAW264.7 cells. The results clearly showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of the P. insolens Kitagawa root contained relatively high total flavonoid (34.08±1.68 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents per mg) and total polyphenol (154.1±3.2 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents per mg) contents. The DPPH assay results showed that the P. insolens Kitagawa root possessed strong free radical scavenging activity in the ethyl acetate fraction. Both the ethyl acetate and hexane fractions showed strong inhibitory potencies to nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide (1 ㎍/ml) treatment for 24 hr in RAW264.7 cells. The results also showed that both the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of the P. insolens Kitagawa root strongly inhibited mRNA levels of iNOS, IL-1β, and IL-6, which were overexpressed by LPS treatment for 24 hr in the RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that P. insolens Kitagawa root may contain compounds that possess strong potency for anti-inflammatory activity. Further studies are needed to discover more detailed modes of action of P. insolens Kitagawa root fractions against inflammation modulation, such as the regulation of cytokine signaling and inflammatory signaling pathways.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.261-270
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor activities of Typhae pollen (TP) by confirming in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo anti-tumor and immune-modulatory effect with anti-cachexia effect. The MTT assay is used in HepG2 cell to detect potential cytotoxic activities of aqueous extract of Typhae pollen (TPe). After HepG2 tumor cell implantation, eight mice per groups were assigned to six groups. Three different dosages of TPe (500, 250 and 125 mg/kg) were orally administered in the amount of $10m{\ell}/kg$ and sorafenib also administered 20mg/kg, every day for 35 days from 28 days after the tumor cell implantation. We observed the changes on body weights, tumor volume and weights, lymphatic organ, serum interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ levels, splenocytes and peritoneal NK cell activity, splenic tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-10 contents. Periovarian fat weights, serum IL-6 levels, thicknesses of deposited periovarian adipose tissue and mean diameters were also detected to monitor the tumor-related anticachexic effects. In tumor masses, the immunoreactivities of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (cleaved PARP) - apoptotic marks, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ were additionally observed by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with sorafenib. Decreases of COX-2 were demonstrated in sorafenib and TPe treated mice and also increases of iNOS in tumor masses were observed in TPe, not in sorafenib. TPe increased periovarian fat pad weights compared with tumor-bearing controls and sorafenib treated mice. TPe showed increases of splenic $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-10 and $IL-1{\beta}$, serum $IFN-{\gamma}$ and NK cell activities corresponding to increases of spleen weights, lymph node weights and non-atrophic changes of lymph nodes. Our results show oral treatment of TPe 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg has potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities through modest cytotoxic effects, immunomodulatory effects and apoptotic activities in HepG2 tumor cells. In addition, TPe can prevent cancer related cachexia.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.327-338
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• 2012

Liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin are the major flavonoids present in licorice. These flavonoid compounds were prepared by submerged culture of Grifola frondosa (G. frondosa) HB0071 mycelia producing ${\beta}$-glucosidase in the aqueous extract of licorice. The contents of liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin were increased during the fermentation. This fungus produced a high ${\beta}$-glucosidase (activity of 91.5 mU/mL), thereby achieving high amounts of liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin ($568.5{\mu}g/mL$ and $89.6{\mu}g/mL$), respectively at 96 h. A reversed- phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was established for simultaneous determination of liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin in fermented licorice extract (FLEx). The anti-inflammatory activities were investigated by licorice extract (LEx) before and after fermentation with G. frondosa HB0071. The treatment of UVB-irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes with FLEx resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the expression level of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA. Furthermore, FLEx dose-dependently decreased mRNA of the pro-inflammatory cytokines of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. These results suggest that FLEx may mitigate the effects of skin inflammation by reducing UVB-induced adverse skin reactions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1331-1337
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• 2015

S-allylcysteine (SAC) is an aged garlic derived water soluble organosulfur compound and has been suggested to have anticarcinogenic activity against diverse types of cancer cells. This review summarizes the cellular signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms whereby SAC exerts its effects on cellular proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression and metastasis based on the results from both in vitro and in vivo studies. SAC activates proapoptotic proteins including Bax and caspase-3, but suppresses antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins to bring about cancer cell death through mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway. SAC also inhibits cellular proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in which SAC reduces expression and activation of NF-κB, cyclins, Cdks, PCNA and c-Jun, but elevates expression of cell cycle inhibitor proteins p16 and p21 through suppression of both PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. And, SAC inhibits invasion and metastasis of cancer cells by inducing suppression of both angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through decreased cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and increased E-cadherin expression which were then caused by suppression of inhibitory transcription factors Id-1 and SLUG from SAC-mediated inactivation of both MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, SAC prevents toxic compound-induced carcinogenesis by inducing antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione-s-transferase (GST). Thus, SAC can be considered as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1204-1212
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• 2005

Lung cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in the world. It occurs more increasingly due to the serious air pollution, heavy smoking, expoure to ionized radiation, pollution with heavy metal, and owing to well advanced diagnostic skill, etc. Also lung cancer has the limitation of medical care because metastasis is already shown up in more than half cases when it is first detected through medical examination. Although it is treated with chemoradiation, the rate of deaths from lung cancer is high as well, because blood has a lot of toxicity which give side effects. So it has a low rate of cure. So, the ways of various treatment is being researched to raise the rate of care and decrease the side effects recently, and one of the results is inducing apoptosis which makes use of molecularbiologic diagnosis of lung cancer's cell and using oriental medicine drugs. The purpose of this study is whether apoptosis would happen on the human lung carcinoma cell by treated with Junglyeokdaejosape-tang, Junglyeok-tang Junglyeokdaejosape-tang and Junglyeok-tang has been prescribed for cough, chest pain, and many other similar cases. Cough and chest pain is shown in early lung cancer. That is why we used these prescriptions. Apoptosis happend on the human lung carcinoma A549 cells treated with Jeongiyeokdaejosapye-tang, Jeonglyeok-tang. The concentration-dependent inhibition of cell viability was observed and apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation. Bcl-2 and COX-2 mRNA expression decreased, but Bax mRNA expression increased, so it was identified with the case of indomethacin known to enhance apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Also expression of the p21, p53, cyclin E, cyclin D1, cytochrome c, caspase-3, and caspase-9 protein increased and the activity of caspase-3 increased, as well. Last, fragmentation of the PARP was shown. The previous and present results indicated that apoptosis of A549 cells by above-mentioned drugs is associated with the blockage of G1/S progression.