• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sargassum horneri is an edible brown alga that grows in the subtidal zone as an annual species along the coasts of South Korea, China, and Japan. Recently, an extreme amount of S. horneri moved into the coasts of Jeju Island from the east coast of China, which made huge economic and environmental loss to the Jeju Island. Thus, utilization of this biomass becomes a big issue with the local authorities. Therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of crude polysaccharides (CPs) extracted from S. horneri China strain in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: CPs were precipitated from S. horneri digests prepared by enzyme assistant extraction using four food-grade enzymes (AMG, Celluclast, Viscozyme, and Alcalase). The production levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ were measured by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were measured by using western blot. The IR spectrums of the CPs were recorded using a fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrometer. RESULTS: The polysaccharides from the Celluclast enzyme digest (CCP) showed the highest inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells ($IC_{50}$ value: $95.7{\mu}g/mL$). Also, CCP dose-dependently down-regulated the protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, compared to the only LPS-treated cells. In addition, CCP inhibited the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p50 and p65 and the phosphorylation of MAPKs, including p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, FT-IR analysis showed that the FT-IR spectrum of CCP is similar to that of commercial fucoidan. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CCP has anti-inflammatory activities and is a potential candidate for the formulation of a functional food ingredient or/and drug to treat inflammatory diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.639-652
• /
• 2006

Objective : The etiology of chronic prostatitis is likely multifactorial, resulting from either a cascade of events after an initiating factor or from a variety of etiologic mechanisms. There is substantiating evidence to support the role of the inflammatory responses in its pathogenesis, and the clinical value in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Forsythiae Frucus has been traditionally used in treatment of inflammatory diseases, including of prostatitis and urinary tract inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of Forsythiae Frucus on inflammatory cytokines and cyto-pathological alternation in the rat model of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and $17{\beta}$-estradiol treatment. Methods : Two-month-old rats were treated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis. which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histopathological profiles. Forsythiae Frucus as an experimental specimen, and testosterone as a positive control, were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by histopathologlcal parameters including the epithelial score and epithelio-stromal ratio for glandular damage. and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes including interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-5, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$. eotaxin, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(cox-2). Results : While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation. the rats treated with Forsythiae Frucus showed a diminished range of tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in the Forsythiae Frucus group over that of the control (P<0.05). The epithelia-stromal ratio was lower in the Forsythiae Frucus group when compared to that of the control (P<0.05). In the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of inflammatory cytosine genes. Forsythiae Frucus inhibited the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, iNOS, cox-2 genes, while it modulated the expression of IL-5, which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Forsythiae Frucus may protect the glandular epithelial cells and also inhibit stromal proliferation in association with the immune modulation including the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines. From theses results. we suggest that Forsythiae Frucus could be a useful remedy agents for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.640-645
• /
• 2017

Clerodendrum trichotomum (CT) leaves and stems have been used in folk medicine for their anti-hypertension, arthritis, rheumatism, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was performed to evaluate the potential of CT as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. CT leaves were extracted using 70% ethanol (EtOH). Then, using this extract, a hexane, chloroform ($CHCl_3$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (BuOH) fraction was prepared. The polyphenol contents were higher in the EtOAc fraction ($78.08{\mu}g/mg$) and BuOH fraction ($77.54{\mu}g/mg$) compared to the other fractions. Also, these two fractions exhibited strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities. Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities were higher in the $CHCl_3$ fraction ($IC_{50}=4.43{\mu}g/ml$) and EtOAc fraction ($IC_{50}=5.69{\mu}g/ml$). Moreover, the EtOAc fraction effectively inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells ($IC_{50}=18.87{\mu}g/ml$). Thus, we investigated the effects of the EtOAc fraction on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The treatment of the EtOAc fraction ($100{\mu}g/ml$) effectively decreased the levels of the tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). These results suggest the potential for CT extract and fractions as promising anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.70-80
• /
• 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of red ginseng-derived non-saponin fraction (NSF) on inflammatory responses and monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation in RAW264.7 and THP-1. NSF effectively inhibited inflammatory responses by downregulating nitric oxide (NO) production and protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). NSF ($2000{\mu}g/mL$) decreased the levels of NO, iNOS, and COX-2 by 33, 83, and 64%, respectively. NSF inhibited the differentiation of monocyte-to-macrophage by decreasing cell adherence along with downregulation of the cluster of differentiation molecule $11{\beta}$ ($CD11{\beta}$) and CD36. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), were significantly reduced with NSF treatment. The NSF-mediated inhibition of inflammatory responses was due to the regulation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). NSF effectively suppressed the translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ into the nucleus, while nuclear Nrf2 and its target protein, heme oxygenase-1, levels were significantly increased.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.433-441
• /
• 2019

This study describes a preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity and anti-atopic activity of Phormium tenax leaf extracts. P. tenax leaf was extracted using 70% ethanol and then fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, n-butanol. In order to effectively screen for anti-inflammatory agents, we first investigated the inhibitory effects of P. tenax leaf crude extracts and solvent fractions on production of pro-inflammatory factors[nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)] and pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$, interleukin-6(IL-6) and $interleukin-1{\beta}(IL-1{\beta})$] in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, we also evaluated of their inhibitory effect on the atopic dermatitis-like inflammatory markers such as macrophage-derived chemokine(MDC) and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine(TARC) in HaCaT cells. Among the five solvent fractions of P. tenax, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions inhibited production of pro-inflammatory factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose dependent manner, respectively. These fractions were also showed inhibitory activity for MDC and TARC expression levels in $IFN-{\gamma}-stimulated$ HaCaT cells, respectively. These results suggest that P. tenax have significantly effects of anti-inflammatory activity and anti-atopic activity that might be beneficial for the topical treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2019.10a
• /
• pp.67-67
• /
• 2019

Vaccinium oldhamii (V. oldhamii) has been reported to exert a variety of the pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidant activity, anti-cancer activity, and inhibitory activity of ${\alpha}$-amylase and acetylcholinesterase. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of V. oldhamii has not been studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of the stem extracts from V. oldhamii, and to elucidate the potential mechanisms in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among VOS, VOL and VOF, the inhibitory effect of NO and PGE2 production induced by LPS was highest in VOS treatment. Thus, VOS was selected for the further study. VOS dose-dependently blocked LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression, respectively. VOS inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. In addition, VOS suppressed TRAP activity and attenuated the expression of the osteoclast-specific genes such as NFATc1, c-FOS, TRAP, MMP-9, cathepsin K, CA2, OSCAR and ATPv06d2. VOS inhibited LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling activation through blocking $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation and p65 nuclear accumulation. VOS inhibited MAPK signaling activation by attenuating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK. Furthermore, VOS inhibited ATF2 phosphorylation and blocked ATF2 nuclear accumulation. From these findings, VOS has potential to be a candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for the inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2011

Dental bacteria can cause gum diseases, i.e. gingivitis and periodontitis, by inducing inflammation in human gingiva. Therefore, the most effective way to prevent and treat gum diseases is the control of the inflammatory reactions induced by dental bacteria. Almost all present dental care products contain anti-bacterial agents to eliminate dental bacteria. However, recent studies report that even heat-killed dental bacteria can induce the inflammation responses in oral cells. Therefore, the method using anti-bacterial agents should be improved for better anti-inflammatory effect and the effective natural anti-inflammatory substances need to be found. In addition, the mechanisms of gingival inflammation should be elucidated. In this study, we tried to find out the mechanism of the gingival inflammation and effective natural anti-inflammatory substances with human gingival epithelial cells and Prevotella intermedia which is well known as a typical dental bacteria inducing gingivitis and periodontitis. In results, Prevotell intermedia initiated the gingival inflammation response by stimulating gingival epithelial cells to release an inflammatory cytokine, IL-8. Furthermore, the inflammation by Prevotella intermedia is related to COX-2, AP-1, and TNF-${\alpha}$ pathways. Green tea extract could effectively suppress the inflammatory responses induced by Prevotella intermedia. We find out the effective natural substance for the improvement of gum diseases by studying the mechanism of the gingival inflammation induced by dental bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.38-45
• /
• 2018

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that occurs in puberty and young people. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is known to be a major cause of inflammation in acne. P. acnes proliferates within hair follicles blocked by overproduced sebum in the skin, and thereby activates monocytic cells to promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we investigated the possibility of Cnestis palala (Lour.) Merr. extract to diminish P. acnes-mediated inflammatory responses. We found that C. palala extract significantly attenuated P. acnes-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, such as $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, iNOS, and COX-2 in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, we observed that C. palala extract inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activation, which is the major transcription factor of inflammatory cytokine expression. Therefore, it is expected that C. palala extract has a potential as a therapeutic agent or supplement for the treatment P. acnes-induced inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.12
• /
• pp.1438-1447
• /
• 2018

We investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of various organic solvent extracts with and without Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation of Aralia continentalis Kitagawa which has hypotensive effects in addition to excitatory effects on the central nervous system. It has been used to treat arthritis, colds, neuralgia, rheumatism, and itchy skin. Our extracts were tested for their anti-inflammatory potential on NO production and the expression of inflammatory factors in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Extracts with and without L. plantarum fermentation were prepared using water, ethanol, hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol. The RAW264.7 cells were tested for toxicity and the anti-inflammatory activity of each extract was determined at a concentration with no toxicity to the cells. The extracts used in this study significantly inhibited both the production of NO and the mRNA expression of COX-2 and iNOS, the major inflammatory factors. The production of inflammation-related cytokines $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ was also significantly reduced. These results suggest that the extracts involving fermentation by L. plantarum can inhibit cytokines by controlling the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes. It is considered that the water, ethanol, and butanol extracts after fermentation with L. plantarum could be useful as functional natural materials with anti-inflammatory effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine effect of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation activity of the Kyeongok-go with various processing methods that was manufactured by heating mantle. Methods : Commercial Kyeongok-go (K0) was purchased and Kyeongok-go with ginseng (K1), Kyeongok-go with black ginseng (BK), ginseng fermentation Kyeongok-go (KF), black ginseng fermentation Kyeongok-go (BKF) were manufactured by heating mantle. To examine anti-oxidant effect, DPPH radical and production of NO and ROS in RAW 264.74 cell were used. Furthermore, to determined anti-inflammation effect, measured pro-inflammatory mRNA such as NOS-II, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ in RAW 264.74 cell treated with K0, K1, KF, BK, and BKF. Result : K1 scavenged DPPH radical effectively than K0. The most DPPH radical scavenging activity was BKF. In the RAW 264.74 cells stimulated with LPS, NO and ROS production were measured. As a results, K1 was decreased NO, ROS production compared with K0, and BKF was reduced similarly to cyclosporine A (positive control). Expression of pro-inflammatory mRNA such as NOS-II, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 showed a significant decrease in BK or BKF. But, there was no significant in expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in all extract treatmetn groups. Conclusions : According to the above results, it is considered that Kyeongok-go with fermented black ginseng (BKF) manufactured by heating mantle is effective material that have anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant activities. Our finding indicate that BKF may be an effective agent for anti-inflammation through anti-oxidant effect.