• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.99-107
• /
• 2016

Triclosan is an antimicrobial or sanitizing agent used in personal care and household products such as toothpaste, soaps, mouthwashes and kitchen utensils. There are increasing evidence of the potentially harmful effects of triclosan in many systemic and cellular processes of the body. In this study, we investigated the effects of triclosan in the survivability of cultured rat neural stem cells (NSCs). Cortical cells from embryonic day 14 rat embryos were isolated and cultured in vitro. After stabilizing the culture, triclosan was introduced to the cells with concentrations ranging from $1{\mu}M$ to $50{\mu}M$ and in varied time periods. Thereafter, cell viability parameters were measured using MTT assay and PI staining. TCS decreased the cell viability of treated NSC in a concentration-dependent manner along with increased expressions of apoptotic markers, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, while reduced expression of Bcl2. To explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of TCS in NSC, we measured the activation of MAPKs and intracellular ROS. TCS at $50{\mu}M$ induced the activations of both p38 and JNK, which may adversely affect cell survival. In contrast, the activities of ERK, Akt and PI3K, which are positively correlated with cell survival, were inhibited. Moreover, TCS at this concentration augmented the ROS generation in treated NSC and depleted the glutathione activity. Taken together, these results suggest that TCS can induce neurodegenerative effects in developing rat brains through mechanisms involving ROS activation and apoptosis initiation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.200-206
• /
• 2014

N-(p-Coumaryol) tryptamine (CT), a phenolic amide, has been reported to exhibit anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the underlying mechanism by which CT exerts its pharmacological properties has not been clearly demonstrated. The objective of this study is to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of CT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged RAW264.7 macrophage cells. CT significantly inhibited LPS-induced extracellular secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and $PGE_2$, and protein expressions of iNOS and COX-2. In addition, CT significantly suppressed LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$. To elucidate the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism of CT, involvement of MAPK and Akt signaling pathways was examined. CT significantly attenuated LPS-induced activation of JNK/c-Jun, but not ERK and p38, in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, CT appeared to suppress LPS-induced Akt phosphorylation. However, JNK inhibition, but not Akt inhibition, resulted in the suppression of LPS-induced responses, suggesting that JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway significantly contributes to LPS-induced inflammatory responses and that LPS-induced Akt phosphorylation might be a compensatory response to a stress condition. Taken together, the present study clearly demonstrates CT exerts anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway in LPS-challenged RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2016

Tomato extract has been shown to exert antiplatelet activity in vitro and to change platelet function ex vivo, but with limitations. In this study, antiplatelet activity of water soluble tomato concentrate (Fruitflow I) and dry water soluble tomato concentrate (Fruitflow II) was investigated using rat platelets. Aggregation was induced by collagen and adenosine diphosphate and granule-secretion, $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, thromboxane B2, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were examined. The activation of integrin ${\alpha}_{IIb}{\beta}_3$ and phosphorylation of signaling molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and PI3K/Akt, were investigated by flow cytometry and immunoblotting, respectively. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were examined. Moreover, in vivo thrombus weight was tested by an arteriovenous shunt model. Fruitflow I and Fruitflow II significantly inhibited agonist induced platelet aggregation, adenosine triphosphate and serotonin release, $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, and thromboxane B2 concentration, while having no effect on cAMP and cGMP levels. Integrin ${\alpha}_{IIb}{\beta}_3$ activation was also significantly decreased. Moreover, both concentrates reduced phosphorylation of MAPK pathway factors such as ERK, JNK, P38, and PI3K/Akt. In vivo thrombus formation was also inhibited. Taken together, these concentrates have the potential for ethnomedicinal applications to prevent cardiovascular ailments and can be used as functional foods.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2016

Objectives : Nardostachys jatamansi (NJ) is a medicinal herb that has been reported in various traditional systems of medicine for its use in antispasmodic, a digestive stimulant, skin diseases. Previous studies have already reported that NJ effectively protects against inflammation. However, the active compound in NJ is unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed effects of a compound, 8α-hydroxy pinoresinol (HP), isolated from NJ against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells.Methods : To examine the anti-inflammatory effect of HP against LPS, intraperitoneally pre-treat the HP (100, 200, 500 and 1,000 nM) 1 h prior to LPS challenges. LPS was stimulated with 500 ng/ml in RAW 264.7 cells. To identify the anti-inflammatory effect of HP, we measured inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and its derivative nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Also we evaluated molecular mechanisms including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activation by western blot.Results : The HP inhibited production of inflammatory mediators, such as iNOS and its derivative NO, COX-2 and PGE2 in LPS- induced inflammationin RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, HP also inhibited activation of p38 pathway signaling but not extracellularsignal-regulatedkinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and NF-κB.Conclusion : Our results suggest that HP has anti-inflammatory functions through the dephosphorylation of p38 and HP can provide beneficial strategy for prevention and therapy of inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.44 no.7
• /
• pp.1079-1083
• /
• 2015

Activating macrophage cells play an important role in the host immune defense system. In this paper, immuno-modulatory activities of polysaccharides separated from Jubak (JPS) in macrophage cells were investigated. Immuno-modulatory activities were estimated based on cell proliferation, nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production, degree of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ phosphorylation in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. JPS (62.5 to $250{\mu}g/mL$) did not induce a cytotoxic event. Additionally, NO and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6) production significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-${\kappa}B$ increased upon JPS treatment. Therefore, our results suggest that polysaccharides separated from Jubak can induce macrophage activation through MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling and induction of Th1 polarization.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.861-867
• /
• 2003

Inhibitory effect of the lectins (KML-C) isolated from Korean mistletoe (KM; Viscum album coloratum) on tumor metastases produced by murine tumor cells (B16-BL6 melanoma, colon 26M3.1 carcinoma and L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cells) was investigated in syngeneic mice. An intravenous (i.v.) administration of KML-C (20-50 ng/mouse) 2 days before tumor inoculation significantly inhibited lung metastases of both B16-BL6 and colon 26-M3.1 cells. The prophylactic effect of 50 ng/mouse of KML-C on lung metastasis was almost the same with that of 100 $\mu$ g/mouse of KM. Treatment with KML-C 1 day after tumor inoculation induced a significant inhibition of not only the experimental lung metastasis induced by B16-BL6 and colon 26M3.1 cells but also the liver and spleen metastasis of L5178Y-ML25 cells. Furthermore, multiple administration of KML-C given at 3 day-intervals after tumor inoculation led to a significant reduction of lung metastasis and suppression of the growth of B16-BL6 melanoma cells in a spontaneous metastasis model. In an assay for natural killer (NK) cell activity. i.v. administration of KML-C (50 ng/mouse) significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity against Yac-1 tumor cells 2 days after KML-C treatment. In addition, treatment with KML-C (50 ng/mouse) induced tumoricidal activity of peritoneal macrophages against B16-BL6 and 3LL cells. These results suggest that KML-C has an immunomodulating activity to enhance the host defense system against tumors, and that its prophylactic and therapeutic effect on tumor metastasis is associated with the activation of NK cells and macrophages.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Portulaca oleracea (PO) have been used as a traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases in Korea. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of PO ethanol extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation is not well-known. Therefore, this study was performed to identify the anti-inflammatory effect of PO on LPS induced inflammatory.Methods : Identification of PO was conducted by comparison with purified standards by HPLC. To measure out the cytotoxicity of PO, author performed the MTT assay. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of PO, author examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin, (IL)-1β and IL-6) on RAW 264.7 cells. Author also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-B (NF-κB) activation by western blot.Results : Three major components (peaks 1, 2, 3) were detected in both varieties and peak 1 was characterized as caffeic acid, peak 2 as p-coumaric acid, and peak 3 as ferulic acid by comparison of chromatographic properties with authentic standards. Extract from PO itself did not have any cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 cells. PO inhibited LPS-induced productions of inflammatory mediators such as NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7cells. In addition, PO inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-κB activation in RAW 264.7 cells.Conclusions : Above experiment data can be an important indicator for the identification of PO and this study suggest that treatment of PO could reduce the LPS-induced inflammation. Thereby, PO could be used as a protective agent against inflammation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.36-48
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate anti-inflammatory effect and immune responses of aqueous extract from Fructus Chaenomelis (FC). Methods: We studied anti-inflammatory effect by means of examining the production of NO(nitric oxide) and expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-$\alpha$(tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL(Interleukin)-6, IL-12) in the LPS-induced peritoneal macrophages of mice. Also, The western blot analysis has been done to look into the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect. Results: 1. The FC extract did not have any cytotoxicity in the peritoneal macrophages. 2. The FC extract inhibits the productions of NO, IL-6. IL-12 in the LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages of mice, but not of TNF-$\alpha$. 3. The FC extract inhibits the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$(nuclear factor-kappa B) by keeping $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$(inhibitory kappa B-alpha) from degradating, but not of MAPKs(mitogen-activated protein kinases) such as ERK(extracelluar signa 1-regulated kinase), JNK(c-Jun N-terminal kinase), p38. Conclusion: These results show that FC extract inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. IL-12. NO by inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in the peritoneal macrophages of mice. In conclusion, this experiment suggests that FC extract may be effective for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation including genitourinary infection.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study was designed to examine immuno-modulatory effects of Evodia Rutaecarpine by activating innate immune system and inhibiting inflammation. Methods: First, Cell cytotoxicity was examined with 4T1 breast carcinoma and TG-induced macrophage. To investigate activating innate immune system of Evodiamine Rutacarpine Extract (ERE) on macrophage, we tested tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were measured after treating with ERE to observe innate immune modulating effect of ERE on RAW 264.7 cell. Also, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) were examined by western blot analysis. Results: In cytotoxicity analysis, ERE significantly affected tumor cell growth above specific concentration. Also, ERE significantly affected macrophage growth above specific concetration. As compared with the control group, the production of TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-6 were increased in TG-induced macrophage. As compared with the control group, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly up-regulated in RAW 264.7 cell. The expression of TNF-α and NO induced by LPS after treating ERE was significantly decreased compared with control group. In addition, We observed ERE inhibited the phosphorylation levels of p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and p-p38 in western blotting by treating ERE on RAW 264.7 cell. Conclusions: ERE seems to have considerable impact on the anti-cancer effect by activation of innate immune system and inflammation control.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.176-182
• /
• 2021

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with chronic skin inflammatory reactions. p-coumaric acid (pCA) is an active ingredient of Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). Methods: Here, we estimated an anti-AD effect of pCA on activated mast cells, activated splenocytes, and a mouse model of AD. Cytokines levels were measured by ELISA and protein activation was analyzed by Western blotting. 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was used to induce AD-like skin lesions. Results: The treatment with pCA suppressed the productions and mRNA expressions of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in HMC-1 cells. pCA downregulated the expressions of RIP2 and caspase-1, phosphorylated-(p)p38/pJNK/pERK, and pIKKβ/pIkBα/NF-κB in HMC-1 cells. pCA also decreased the productions of TSLP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, and IFN-γ in the supernatant of stimulated splenic cells. Comparing to DNFB-sensitized control group, pCA-treated group alleviated pathological changes of AD-like lesions. pCA decreased the proteins and mRNA expressions levels of TSLP, IL-6, and IL-4 in the skin lesions. Caspase-1 activation was also downregulated by pCA treatment in the AD-like lesions. The serum levels of histamine, IgE, TSLP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-4 were suppressed following treatment with pCA. Conclusion: This study suggests that pCA has the potential to improve AD by suppressing TSLP as well as inflammatory cytokines via blocking of caspase-1/NF-κB signal cascade.