• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.566-570
• /
• 2006

Exposure to ultraviolet B(UVB) radiation causes skin inflammation such as pigmentation and the induction of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) gene expression. In this study, we investigated the effect of natural extracts from Tea, EGb 761 and Korean red ginseng(KRG), on the pigmentation and expression of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA in UVB-irradiated C57BL/6 mice. Before UVB irradiation, the skin color was significantly showed the lightening effect by topical application of natural compounds (p<.05). In the case of UVB irradiated mice, we observed a decrease in pigmentation by compounds (p<.05). In irradiated skin, COX-1 mRNA expression is not changed following UVB irradiation, but COX-2 gene increases. Also, natural compounds lowered mRNA levels of COX-2. Therefore, these results suggest that COX-2 mRNA increases by UVB irradiation. Also, Tea, EGb 761 and KRG as a topical application may inhibit skin pigmentation and modulate COX-2 mRNA level.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
• /
• 2002.05a
• /
• pp.103-104
• /
• 2002

Cyclooxygenase (COX), an important enzyme involved in mediating the inflammation, catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the formation of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. There are two isoforms of COX, designated as COX-1 and COX-2. While COX-1 is constitutively expressed in most tissues, COX-2 can be induced transiently by proinflammatory cytokines, endotoxins, growth factors, oncogenes, UV and mitogens.(omitted)

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.331-337
• /
• 2019

Objective: We studied the effects of 4x, 30x, 30c, and 200c homeopathic dilutions of A. montana on inflammation in primary cultured mouse chondrocytes. Methods: Examined expression of Coll-2 and COX-2, and secretion of PGE2. Results: Treatment with 4x, 30x, and 30c A. montana decreased mRNA expression of Coll-2 and 30x A. montana increased mRNA expression of COX-2, while treatment with 30x and 30c A. montana increased protein expression of COX-2. Treatment with the 30c A. montana increased release of PGE2. Conclusion: Treatment with A. montana induces dedifferentiation and inflammatory responses, including increased COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.9
• /
• pp.552-560
• /
• 2009

Cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) are ER-resident proteins that catalyze the committed step in prostanoid synthesis. COX-1 is constitutively expressed in many mammalian cells, whereas COX-2 is usually expressed inducibly and transiently. Abnormal expression of COX-2 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation and various cancers; therefore, it is subject to tight and complex regulation. Differences in regulation of the COX enzymes at the posttranscriptional and posttranslational levels also contribute significantly to their distinct patterns of expression. Rapid degradation of COX-2 mRNA has been attributed to AU-rich elements (AREs) at its 3’UTR. Recently, microRNAs that can selectively repress COX-2 protein synthesis have been identified. The mature forms of these COX proteins are very similar in structure except that COX-2 has a unique 19-amino acid (19-aa) segment located near the C-terminus. This C-terminal 19-aa cassette plays an important role in mediation of the entry of COX-2 into the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) system, which transports ER proteins to the cytoplasm for degradation by the 26S proteasome. A second pathway for COX-2 protein degradation is initiated after the enzyme undergoes suicide inactivation following cyclooxygenase catalysis. Here, we discuss these molecular determinants of COX-2 expression in detail.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.348-352
• /
• 2007

Inflammation is a complex process resulting from a variety of mechanisms. Combined inhibition of the activities of enzymes involved in the process may therefore be considered more important in anti-inflammatory property of plant extracts than any single contribution. In this study, the inhibitory effects of the ethanol extracts of thirty plant foods on the activities of secretory phospholipase $A_{2}$ ($sPLA_{2}$), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) were examined. Several legumes, mungbean sprout and some leaf vegetables inhibited the activity of $sPLA_2$, upstream enzyme of inflammation pathway. Only soybean sprout and mungbean sprout significantly inhibited 12-LOX activity. Although most of extracts inhibited the activities of both COX-1 and COX-2, water dropwort and amaranth showed selectivity for the inhibition of COX-2 over COX-1. Especially, mungbean showed anti-inflammatory property at both upstream and downstream of inflammation pathway with relatively low $IC_{50}$ values for $sPLA_{2}$ and COX-2 enzymes. Mungbean sprout exhibited inhibitory effects on all enzymes related to early and late inflammation and soybean sprout suppressed 12-LOX and COX-2 simultaneously, although the activities of these plants were showed at relatively high concentration. Therefore, mungbean, mungbean sprout, and soybean sprout appear to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects by combined inhibition of inflammatory enzymes.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.269-276
• /
• 2009

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including nitric oxide (NO), could be associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammation. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are known to play key roles in the development of these diseases. Cedrela sinensis leaves have been used in Asian countries as a traditional remedy for enteritis, dysentery and itching. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Cedrela sinensis leaves in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Powder of C. sinensis leaves was extracted with 95% ethanol and fractionated with a series of organic solvents including n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. The dichloromethane (DCM) fraction strongly inhibited NO production possibly by down-regulating iNOS and COX-2 expression, as determined by Western blotting. Hydrogen peroxide-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also effectively inhibited by the DCM fraction from C. sinensis leaves. In addition, C. sinensis inhibited LPS-mediated p65 activation via the prevention of IκB-$\alpha$ phosphorylation. Furthermore, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as ERK 1/2 and p38 were found to affect the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in the cells. Taken together, our data suggest that leaves of C. sinensis could be used as a potential source for anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.1027-1031
• /
• 2006

In oriental medicine, Geijibokryunghwan(GBH) was used to improvement various symptoms created by the thrombosis. We investigated the effects of an oriental medicinal prescriptions, Geijibokryunghwan (GBH) consisting of herbs of Cinnamomi Ramufus (Geiji; 桂枝), Poria cocos (Bokrung; 茯?), Moutan Cortex Radicis(Modanpi; 牧丹皮), Paeoniae Radix (Jakyak; 芍藥) and Persicae Semen (Doin; 桃仁) on tumor growth-inhibitory activity and cancer chempreventive activity in assays representing three maior stages of carcinogenesis. Cancer chempreventive agents include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as indomethacin, aspirin, piroxicam, and sulindac, all of which inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX). Effects of the GBH extracts on carrageenan-induced edema Inflammation using female (C57BL/6XC3H) Fl (B6C3Fl ) mice and tumorigenesis were examined. Finally, cyclooxygenase metabolites were determined after extracts treatment. These data suggest that GBH extracts merits investigation as a potential cancer chempreventive agent in humans.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.329-335
• /
• 2002

Previously, several prenylated flavonoids having a C-8 lavandulyl moiety were found to inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) as well as 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and sophoraflavanone G was the most potent inhibitor against these eicosanoid generating enzymes among 19 prenylated flavonoids tested. In this investigation, effects of sophoraflavanone G on COX-2 induction from RAW 264.7 cells and in vivo inflammatory response were studied. Sophoraflavanone G inhibited prostaglandin $E_2{\;}(PGE_2)$ production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW cells by COX-2 down-regulation at 1-50 uM. Other prenylated flavonoids including kuraridin and sanggenon D also down-regulated COX-2 induction at 10-25 uM, while kurarinone and echinoisoflavanone did not. In addition, sophoraflavanone G showed in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against mouse croton oil-induced ear edema and rat carrageenan paw edema via oral (2-250 mg/kg) or topical administration (10-250 ug/ear). Although the potencies of inhibition were far less than that of a reference drug, prednisolone, this compound showed higher anti-inflammatory activity when applied topically, suggesting a potential use for several eicosanoidrelated skin inflammation such as atopic dermatitis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.395-401
• /
• 2021

Extended inflammation and cytokine production pathogenically contribute to a number of inflammatory disorders. Formosanin C (FC) is the major diosgenin saponin found in herb Paris formosana Hayata (Liliaceae), which has been shown to exert anti-cancer and immunomodulatory functions. In this study, we aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of FC and the underlying molecular mechanism. RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or pretreated with FC prior to being stimulated with LPS. Thereafter, the macrophages were subjected to analysis of the expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6, as well as two relevant enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The analysis revealed that FC administration blunted LPS-induced production of NO and PGE in a dose-dependent manner, while the expression of iNOS and COX-2 at both mRNA and protein levels was inhibited in LPS-stimulated macrophages pre-treated with FC. Moreover, LPS stimulation upregulated mRNA expression and medium release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, whereas this effect was blocked upon FC pre-administration. Mechanistic studies showed that inhibitory effects of FC on LPS-induced inflammation were associated with a downregulation of IκB kinase, IκB, and p65/NF-κB pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that FC possesses an inflammation-suppressing activity, thus being a potential agent for the treatment of inflammation-associated disorders.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 2002

Objective : To study anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect and molecular biological mechanism of honey bee venom for aqua-acupuncture, human mast cell line(HMC-1) and human glioma cell line(HS683) were treated with bee venom. Methods : Cell viability of bee venom was tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) asssay. To explore whether anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects of bee venom are associated with the control of gene expression, quantitative RT-PCR analysis of inflammation and pain related genes was performed. Results : The MTT assay demonstrated that cell viability was not decreased by treatment with 10-9 ug/ml bee venom in comparison with 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6, 10-7, 10-8, 10-9, 10-10 and 10-11 ug/ml. sPLA2 and COX-l were down-regulated by treatment with 10-9 ug/ml bee venom in HS683 Cell line in comparison with control. COX-2 was up-regulated by treatment with 10-9 ug/ml bee venom in HS683 Cell line and HSP-2 was up-regulated by treatment with 10-9 ug/ml bee venom in HMC-1 Cell line in comparison with control. sPLA2, COX-1 and COX-2 showed no significant regulation in HMC-1 Cell line and cPLA2 also showed no significant regulation in both HMC-l and HS683 Cell line between control and bee venom treated group.