• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.13-26
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Gamroeum water extracts (GRE) in vivo and in vitro. Methods : The effects of GRE on anti-inflammation were measured by production of NO, $PGE_2$ (Prostaglandin $E_2$), iNOS (inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase), COX-2, $NF{\kappa}B$ (Nuclear Factor kappa B), TNF-$\alpha$ (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) and IL-$1{\beta}$ (Interleukin-$1{\beta}$), IL-6 in Raw 264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with LPS. Results : 1. In machrophage cells, LPS displayed significant stimulatory effects on the production of NO and $PGE_2$. However, GRE showed significant inhibitory effects on NO and $PGE_2$ release. The level of NO and $PGE_2$ was decreased by GRE in a concentration dependent manner as compared with LPS only group. 2. Immunoblot analysis verified that LPS stimulation significantly increased the iNOS and COX-2 protein level, but GRE suppressed the induction of iNOS and COX-2 protein at a concentration dependent manner. 3. GRE reduced the elevated production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of GRE was occurred in a dose-dependent manner. 4. GRE significantly reduced the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ protein in nuclear fraction. 5. GRE effectively inhibited the increases of hind paw skin thicknesses and inflammatory cell infiltrations induced by carrageenan treatment. It, therefore, considered that GRE will be favorably inhibited the acute edematous inflammations. Conclusions : These results indicated that GRE could have anti-inflammatory capacity by inhibiting the production of NO, $PGE_2$ and cytokines in vitro and by reducing the formation of carrageenan-induced paw edema in vivo. Moreover, inhibitory effects of GRE on the macrophage activation were attributable to the reduction of some of inflammatory factors by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 through the suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2006

Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM) is a herb widely used in medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases. In this study, using mouse peritoneal macrophages, we have examined whether CM affects nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-6 induced interferon $(IFN)-\gamma$ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CM inhibits $IFN-\gamma$ and LPS-induced NO in dose dependent manner. We also found that CM inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine, $TNF-\alpha$ and IL-6. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was reduced by CM. These finding means that CM can be used in controlling macrophages-mediated inflammatory disease.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.1-24
• /
• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Bojungikgi-Tang on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and we divided the rats into three groups: (1) sham-operated group (n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Bojungikgi-Tang treated group. Bojungikgi-Tang was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volume of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and analysed the concentration of cytokines(MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were also performed. Results: 1. The volume($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Bojungikgi-Tang treated group(129${\pm}$39) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group(222${\pm}$109). 2. The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in Bojungikgi-Tang treated group(1012${\pm}$248) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group(1413${\pm}$346). 3. The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$ of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluids in Bojungikgi-Tang treated group(887${\pm}$196) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group(1126${\pm}$140). 4. Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Bojungikgi-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. 5. The percentage of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Bojungikgi-Tang treated group(56${\pm}$17) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group(75${\pm}$16). 6. The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Bojungikgi-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we concluded that Bojungikgi-Tang has inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$, and decreased expression of COX-2 and VEGF infiltration by administration of Bojungikgi-Tang.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.88-99
• /
• 2008

Objectives: In order to identify the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam), widely used in Korean traditional medicine, an in vitro screening system was designed using pGL3, a luciferase reporter vector, and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 as target genes. Methods: The promoter regions of each gene were generated by PCR using the human chromosome as template DNA, and inserted into pGL3 vector with Kpn I and Hind III. The final construct was transfected into human myelomonocytic leukemia cells (U-937) that could be differentiated and activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using this system, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of several herbal extracts regarded to have the medicinal effects of diminishing body heat and complementing Qi were tested. The chemicals PD98059 and berberine chloride were used as controls of the transcriptional inhibitors of TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2, respectively. Results: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) demonstrated significant decrease of TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA in the in vitro assay system. In MTT assay, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) did not significantly inhibit the survival and proliferation of human myelomonocytic leukemia cells (U-937). Conclusions: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) was found to exhibit the significant medicinal properties of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.1244-1250
• /
• 2005

The anti-inflammatory activity of Eurya emarginata (Thumb) Makino, of which leaves have been traditionally used to treat ulcers or diuretic in Jeju Island, has been investigated in the present study. Through the phytochemical study from the methanol extract of E. emaginiata, eutigosides Band C were isolated as the active components. Sseveral inflammatory markers including TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, NO, iNOS, and COX-2 were examined. Eutigosides Band C potentially inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the intracellular contents of iNOS protein were markedly decreased after treatment with eutigosides Band C. The inhibition of iNOS activity was correlated with the decrease in nitrite levels. These results suggest that eutigoside Band C from E. emarginata may have anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6), iNOS and COX-2.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.206-213
• /
• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of mangiferin isolated from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, a natural polyphenol, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Mangiferin dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ productions in RAW 264.7 macrophages and peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Consistent with these data, mangiferin suppressed the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein and mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. In addition, the release of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the mRNA expression levels of these cytokines were reduced by mangiferin in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mangiferin effectively inhibited the transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-kappa B $(NF-{\kappa}B)$. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of mangiferin are caused by iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 down-regulation due to $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ inhibition in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2013

Objectives : In present study, we investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on early-stage inflammatory response in spinal cord compression of rodents. Methods : Spinal cord injury(SCI) was induced by a vascular clip method(30 g, 5 min) on the spinal cord of mice. Rg3 was treated orally at 1 hour prior to the SCI induction. Messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA) expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1${\beta}$(IL-1${\beta}$), interleukin-6(IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) was measured by the real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Microglia in the spinal cord tissue, neurophils and COX-2 in the peri-lesion and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) expression in the ventral horn of SCI induced rats were measured by immunohistochemical stain. Results : 1. Rg3 significantly reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and COX-2 in the spinal cord tissue compared with SCI group(p<0.05, p<0.01). 2. Rg3 significantly reduced the total number of activated microglia and proportion of phagocytic form in the total activated microglia compared with SCI group(p<0.05, p<0.01). 3. Rg3 significantly reduced myeloperoxidase(MPO) positive neurophil in the peri-lesion compared with SCI group(p<0.05). 4. Rg3 reduced the COX-2 expression in the tissue and motor neurons compared with SCI group. 5. Rg3 significantly reduced iNOS positive motor neurons in the ventral horn compared with SCI group(p<0.01). Conclusions : In conclusion, we demonstrated at first that treatment of ginsenoside Rg3 could reduce significantly the levels of inflammatory mediators in a spinal cord compression model of rodents. Therefore, these results suggested that ginsenoside Rg3 may be a useful antimiflamatory therapeutic candidate for SCI.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.199-205
• /
• 2017

To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of natural products, we determined the anti-inflammatory activity of purified epigallocatechin (EGC) from Camellia sinensis leaves. In the present study, we found that EGC inhibited the production of proinflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NO, and $PGE_2$) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Suppression of IL-6 seems to be at least partly attributable to the inhibitory effect of EGC. TNF-${\alpha}$ is a major cytokine produced by LPS-induced macrophages, and they have a wide variety of biological functions including regulation of inflammation. The inhibition of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production by EGC may downregulate the acute-phase response to LPS, thereby reducing LPS-induced inflammation. In addition to IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$, EGC effectively reduced the production of other key inflammatory mediators, including NO and $PGE_2$. The inhibitory effect of EGC on NO and $PGE_2$ production was supported by the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and COX-2 at protein levels. These results support the traditional use of EGC in the alleviation of various inflammation-associated diseases and suggest that EGC might be useful in the development of new functional foods for inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.459-467
• /
• 2015

Purpose: We developed a method to load lycopene into maltodextrin and cyclodextrin in an attempt to overcome the poor bioavailability and improve the anti-inflammatory effect of this polyphenol. Methods: Nanosized lycopenes were encapsulated into biodegradable amphiphillic cyclodextrin and maltodextrin molecules prepared using a high pressure homogenizer at 15,000~25,000 psi. Cell damage was induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in a mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. The cells were subjected to various doses of free lycopene (FL) and nanoencapsulated lycopene (NEL). RT-PCR was used to quantify the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA levels, while ELISA was used to determine the protein levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. Results: NEL significantly reduced the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$ at the highest dose, while not in cells treated with FL. In addition, NEL treatment caused a significant reduction in IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels, compared to cells treated with a similar dose of FL. In addition, mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 enzyme in the activated macrophages was more efficiently suppressed by NEL than by FL. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that lycopene is a potential inflammation reducing agent and nanoencapsulation of lycopene can further improve its anti-inflammatory effect during tissue-damaging inflammatory conditions.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.61-83
• /
• 2007

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Keukhachukeo-Tang (KCT) on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods : Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and devided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group (n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n =8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and KCT treated group. KCT (1,200 mg/head) was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants. The weight (body, left uterus and ovaries) and concentrations of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-l${\beta}$) in serum and peritoneal fluid were also measured. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cells in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results : - The volumes(mm$^3$) of endometriotic implants in KCT-treated group (107${\pm}$66) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group (405${\pm}$318). - The contents(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluid in KCT-treated group (6,940${\pm}$893) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (8,632${\pm}$1,245). - The contents(pg/ml) of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluid in KCT-treated group (847${\pm}$330) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group (1,245${\pm}$362). - The percentages(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in KCT-treated group (31${\pm}$10) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (50${\pm}$8). - The numbers of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in KCT-treated group (69${\pm}$18) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (109${\pm}$30). - The numbers of mast cells in stroma of transplanted uterine tissue in KCT-treated group(16${\pm}$5) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (26${\pm}$8). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia and stroma, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in transplanted uterine tissue of KCT-treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion : From the above results, Keukhachukeo-Tang (KCT) have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects are related to the decreased concentration of MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$, decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Keukhachukeo-Tang.