• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.433-441
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• 2021

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are primarily characterized as dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Ginsenoside-Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-KRGE) is known to exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects on neurological disorders. However, effects of Rg3-KRGE in EAE remain unclear. Methods: Here, we investigated whether Rg3-KRGE may improve the symptoms and pathological features of myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein (MOG)_35-55 peptide - induced chronic EAE mice through improving the integrity of the BBB. Results: Rg3-KRGE decreased EAE score and spinal demyelination. Rg3-KRGE inhibited Evan's blue dye leakage in spinal cord, suppressed increases of adhesion molecule platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, extracellular matrix proteins fibronection, and matrix metallopeptidase-9, and prevented decreases of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, claudin-3, and claudin-5 in spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE repressed increases of proinflammatory transcripts cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but enhanced expression levels of anti-inflammatory transcripts arginase-1 and IL-10 in the spinal cord following EAE induction. Rg3-KRGE inhibited the expression of oxidative stress markers (MitoSOX and 4-hydroxynonenal), the enhancement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NOX4, and NADPH activity in the spinal cord of chronic EAE mice. Furthermore, apocynin, a NOX inhibitor, mimicked beneficial effects of Rg3-KRGE in chronic EAE mice. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Rg3-KRGE might alleviate behavioral symptoms and pathological features of MS by improving BBB integrity through modulation of NOX2/4 expression.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

본 연구실의 선행 연구에서 항산화 활성이 가장 높았던 조팝나무 H₂O-EtOH (40:60) 분획물(SP60)의 항염 효능을 확인하여 기능성 소재로의 개발 가능성을 알아보고자 하였다. 항염활성 측정을 위해 RAW 264.7 세포에서 먼저 WST assay를 실시하여 SP60이 125 ㎍/mL 농도까지 세포 생존율에 영향을 미치지 않는 것을 확인하였다. Raw264.7 세포에 LPS와 SP60을 동시에 처리하여 NO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β 생성과 iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB 발현을 측정하였다. SP60은 NO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β 생성량을 모두 유의하게 억제시켰으며 western blot으로 iNOS, COX-2의 발현과 NF-κB의 활성을 측정한 결과 SP60을 처리한 군에서 농도 의존적으로 그 발현량과 활성을 억제하였다. 따라서 조팝나무 분획물은 항염 효능을 가진 것으로 판단되며 항염 관련 기능성 식품 및 소재로의 개발 가능성을 확인하였다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권7호
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• pp.491-500
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• 2022

HK표고버섯균사체(HK shiitake mushroom mycelium, HKSMM)는 간 건강 개별 인정 건강기능식품이다. LPS로 활성화된 RAW 264.7 세포에서 HKSMM50 (HKSMM의 50% ethanol 수용액 추출물)의 항염증효과를 연구하였다. AHCC는 positive control로 사용하였다. LPS로 활성화된 RAW 264.7 세포에 HKSMM50 및 AHCC를 처리(0, 20, 100, 500 ㎍/ml)하고 24시간 배양하여 배양물의 염증 관련 인자는 ELISA kits로, 세포에 함유된 iNOS와 COX-2 protein 발현은 Western blotting으로 측정하였다. HKSMM50는 LPS 처리에 비해 농도 의존적으로 NF-κB 함량을 낮추었고, iNOS와 COX-2 protein 발현을 억제하여 NO와 PGE₂ 함량을 낮추었다. 더불어 HKSMM50는 LPS 처리에 비해 IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4 및 IL-6의 함량을 낮추었으나 SOD와 CAT의 활성은 증가시켰다. AHCC도 HKSSM50 처리와 비슷한 효과를 나타내었다. 이 결과는 HKSMM50이 LPS로 활성화된 RAW 264.7 세포에서 NF-κB 신호전달을 억제하여 항염증효과를 나타내었으며, HKSMM은 면역기능증진에 도움을 줄 수 있는 건강기능식품원료로 사용할 수 있을 것이다.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.85-93
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• 2022

Objectives : This study investigated anti-inflammatory effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against restraint-induced stress. Methods : In vivo, NSCE was orally administered to male white mice at concentrations of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then restraint-induced stress was induced for 6 hours. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The stress-related hormones such as cortisol and corticosterone were measured by ELISA assay. Also, western blot analysis was performed to detect expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the liver tissue, and Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to examine liver inflammation through macrophage infiltration. Results : The AST, ALT, LDH and the stress related hormones such as cortisol and corticosterone were significantly decreased in the NSCE treated group compared with stress group. In histological analysis, H&E staining of liver tissues did not detect the hepatic injury or damage in all groups. As a result of IHC staining, it was confirmed that infiltration of macrophages was increased in the stress-induced group, but decreased in the group treated with NSCE. The COX-2 and MAPK proteins expression was significantly increased by restraint-induced stress, but these proteins were decreased in the NSCE treated group. Conclusions : These results suggest that NSCE has the anti-inflammatory activity in restraint-induced stress model, and it is believed that NSCE can be used for the prevention of liver inflammation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.729-744
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a biomarker for oxidative stress to induce inflammation. Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid with antioxidative activity. On the other hand, the evidence on whether and how methionine can depress HNE-derived inflammation is lacking. In particular, the link between the regulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and methionine intake is unclear. This study examined the link between depression from HNE accumulation and the anti-inflammatory function of ⳑ-methionine in rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Wistar rats (3-week-old, weighing 70-80 g) were administered different levels of ⳑ-methionine orally at 215.0, 268.8, 322.5, and 430.0 mg/kg body weight for two weeks. The control group was fed commercial pellets. The hepatic HNE contents and the protein expression and mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators were measured. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels were also estimated. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, hepatic HNE levels were reduced significantly in all groups fed ⳑ-methionine, which were attributed to the stimulation of GST by ⳑ-methionine. With decreasing HNE levels, ⳑ-methionine inhibited the activation of NF-κB by up-regulating inhibitory κBα and depressing phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B. The mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators (cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrotic factor alpha) were decreased significantly by ⳑ-methionine. In contrast, the protein expression of these inflammatory mediators was effectively down regulated by ⳑ-methionine. The anti-inflammatory action of ⳑ-methionine was also reflected by the up-regulation of IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a link between the inhibition of HNE accumulation and the depression of inflammation in growing rats, which was attributed to ⳑ-methionine availability. The anti-inflammatory mechanism exerted by ⳑ-methionine was to inhibit NF-κB activation and to up-regulate GST.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.11-19
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• 2023

Objectives : Neuroinflammation is a common pathological mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases, and the development of therapeutic agents is urgently needed. Red ginseng has been known to be good for the immune stimulation in Eastern Asia. Although the immuno-stimulatory activity of red ginseng are already known, the neuro-protective effects of cultivated red ginseng with fermented complex mushroom-cereal mycelium (RGFM) have not been conducted. Thus, in this study, we tried to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of RGFM water extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated BV2 cells. Methods : BV2 cells were pretreated with RGFM 1 h prior to LPS exposure. To determine the neuro-protective effects of RGFM water extract, we measured the expression of inflammatory mediators including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1𝛽, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-𝛼 in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. In addition, to find out the regulatory mechanism of RGFM water extract, we assessed the protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory 𝜅B𝛼 (I𝜅B𝛼) by western blotting. Results : In our study, treatment of RGFM reduced the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 and suppressed NO production in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Additionally, the secretion of IL-1𝛽 and TNF-𝛼 but not IL-6 was significantly inhibited by RGFM. Furthermore, RGFM water extract inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that RGFM water extract has a protective effect on neuroinflammation through inhibition of JNK.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.51-57
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• 2019

Objectives : Nypa fruticans Wurmb. (NF) have been used as a traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases in East-South Asia. However, it is largely undiscovered whether NF water extract could exhibit anti-inflammatory activities against tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced inflammatory responses on human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of NF water extract on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses in HaCaT cells. Methods : To investigate the anti-inflammatory activites of NF water extract in HaCaT cells, the inflammatory model of HaCaT cells was established under a suitable concentration (10 ng/ml) of human TNF-${\alpha}$ (hTNF-${\alpha}$). HaCaT keratinocyte cells were pre-treated with NF water extract for 1 h, and then stimulated with hTNF-${\alpha}$. Then, the cells were harvested to measure the inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and pro-inflammatory cytokine including TNF-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6. In addition, we examined the inhibitory mechanisms of NF, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$) Results : The treatment of NF inhibited the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced elevation of iNOS, COX-2, and $PGE_2$ in HaCaT cells. In addition, NF treatment inhibited the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced elevation of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6. Furthermore, NF treatment inhibited the activation of MAPKs but not degradation of $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$. Conclusions : Taken together, our result suggest that treatment of NF could inhibit the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses via deactivation of MAPKs in HaCaT cells. This study could suggest that NF could be a beneficial agent to prevent skin damage or inflammation.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.17-24
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• 2020

Objectives : The objective of this study was to evaluate the gastric protective effect of Curcuma Longae Rhizoma (CLR) in 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol induced gastric ulcer (GU) in mice. Methods : Forty ICR mice were divided into five groups (n=8/Group): Nor group; Normal, Veh group; GU control, SC group; GU + sucralfate 10 mg/kg, CL; GU + CLR 30% ethanol extract 100 mg/kg, CH group; GU + CLR 30% ethanol extract 200 mg/kg. Then, mice were orally administered with 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol and caused GU. After 1 hr, mice were sacrificed, and blood and stomach tissue were collected. Results : CLR showed significance scavenging effects in 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities (DPPH IC₅₀; 78.18 ± 0.60 ㎍/㎖, ABTS IC₅₀; 55.91 ± 1.86 ㎍/㎖). CLR significance reduce inflammatory-related factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) via nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inactivation. In addition, the activation of nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) significantly led to up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes including factors heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase-1/2 (GPx-1/2). Conclusions : Our discovery provides that CLR possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, CLR may ameliorate the development of gastric ulcer though the inhibition of NF-κB inflammatory pathway and the elevation of Nrf2 anti-oxidant pathway.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.73-81
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• 2023

본 연구에서는 어성초(Houttuynia cordata, HC) 와 야관문(Lespedeza cuneata, LC)의 열수 추출물과 메탄올 추출물의 순차적 유기용매 분획물을 제조하였다. LPS를 처리한 RAW264.7세포에서 HC와 LC의 열수 추출물과 메탄올 추출물의 유기용매 분획물의 항염증 활성을 연구하였다. 어성초와 야관문의 hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate 분획물의 처리에 의해 농도의존적으로 nitric oxide (NO) 생산을 저해하였으며, iNOS의 발현도 감소되었다. 이전 연구에서 HC와 LC의 메탄올 추출물의 ethyl acetate 분획물의 플라보노이드 함량을 분석하였다. 분석된 플라보노이드 중 HC와 LC에 공통적으로 함유된 apigenin을 선택하여 추가실험을 진행하였다. Apigenin은 세포 생존율에 영향을 주지 않으면서 NO 생산을 저해하였으며, iNOS와 COX-2의 단백질 발현도 억제하였다. 또한, apigenin은 p38 MAPK와 JNK의 인산화를 억제함으로써 항염증 활성을 가지는 것으로 생각된다. Apigenin 처리에 의해 차별적으로 발현되는 유전자 발현을 확인하기 위하여 RNA-seq 분석을 수행하였다. 발현이 감소된 유전자 중 4개의 cytokine 유전자(IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, CSF2)의 발현 감소를 정량적 real-time PCR을 통해 확인하였다. 종합적으로, 본 연구결과는 어성초와 야관문은 항염증 활성을 가지고 있으며, apigenin이 두 약용 작물의 항염증 활성을 담당하는 중요한 성분 중의 하나가 될 수 있다는 것을 제시한다.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.1-18
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• 2023

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of Samul-tang-ga-dansam water extract (SD) in wound-induced mice. Methods The mice were divided into five groups (n=7): the normal group, the control group, the positive control group, the low-dose SD group and the high-dose SD group. The normal group had no wounds and the other groups were wounded on the back with a leather punch. Distilled water was administered to the control group, 200 mg/kg of vitamin E was administered to the positive control group. In the low-dose SD group and the high-dose SD group, 1.23 g/kg and 2.47 g/kg of SD were administered, respectively. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protein levels were evaluated using western blot analysis. Skin tissue was analyzed by H&E, Masson's trichrome staining method. Results Oral administration of the SD significantly reduced the visible skin damage and decreased the reactive oxygen species and ONOO^- activity of the serum. It significantly increased heme oxygenase-1, superoxide dismutase, catalase, GPx-1/2, Nrf2 and Keap-1 which are antioxidant-related factors in skin tissue and reduced NF-κB p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 which are inflammation-related factors. Also, SD significantly decreased NOX2, p22^phox and p47^phox and increased α-smooth muscle actin and COL1A1 protein expression in fibroblasts involved in connective tissue repair. According to histological examination, the thickened epithelial layer was thinned and collagen fibers were increased to accelerate wound healing. Conclusions It is suggested that Samul-tang-ga-dansam has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and promotes wound tissue repair.