• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.373-377
• /
• 2014

In this study, we demonstrated whether the extract of Fomes fomentarius (FFE; FF extract) could be used to stimulate macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells). All four doses of FFE (5, 10, 20, and $40{\mu}g/mL$) had no significant cytotoxicity during the entire experimental period. FFE potently increased the production of nitric oxide (NO). Consistent with these observations, inducible NO synthase levels were increased by FFE in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, FFE increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in the same cells. These stimulating effects of FFE were found to be caused by the stimulation of phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and MAP kinases (p38, ERK, and JNK). These results suggest that FFE may be used as new agents for wide application in the immune study of mushroom.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.228-236
• /
• 2016

Background: Sedum takesimense Nakai has been used as folk medicine in Korea. The present study aimed to determine the biological activity of S. takesimense by investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of S. takesimense water extract (SKLC) on the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. Methods and Results: Cytotoxicity of SKLC on RAW 264.7 cells was determinded by performing MTS assay was found to have no cytotoxic effect on RAW 264.7 cells at a concentration range of $62-500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Further, pretreatment of SKLC inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner. To determined the inhibitory mechanisms of SKLC on inflammatory mediators, we assessed the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygnease-2 (COX-2) pathways. The activities of these pathways were decreased in a dose-dependent manner by SKLC. The production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 were also reduced. Conclusions: These results suggest that the down regulation of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 expression by SKLC are mediated by the down regulation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity, a transcription factor necessary for pro-inflammatory mediators. This might be the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of SKLC.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.282-287
• /
• 2014

We show that silymarin, a polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), inhibits cytokine mixture (CM: TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in the pancreatic beta cell line MIN6N8a. Immunostaining and Western blot analysis showed that silymarin inhibits iNOS gene expression. RT-PCR showed that silymarin inhibits iNOS gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. We also showed that silymarin inhibits extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. A MEK1 inhibitor abrogated CM-induced nitrite production, similar to silymarin. Treatment of MIN6N8a cells with silymarin also inhibited CM-stimulated activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, which is important for iNOS transcription. Collectively, we demonstrate that silymarin inhibits NO production in pancreatic beta cells, and silymarin may represent a useful anti-diabetic agent.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.39-50
• /
• 2019

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases play an important role in cell growth and differentiation, as well as the modulation of proinflammatory cytokines. The objective of this study was to examine the increase in the anti-inflammatory effect of Gentiana scabra Bunge (GSB), due to bioconversion with the Aspergillus kawachii crude enzyme, via inhibition of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling and MAP kinase pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 cells treated with the GSB ethyl acetate fraction bioconverted with A. kawachii crude enzyme (GE-BA), was dramatically suppressed as compared to GSB ethyl acetate fraction non-bioconverted with the A. kawachii crude enzyme (GE-UA). The phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and inhibitory ${\kappa}B$ in RAW 264.7 cells treated with GE-BA was further suppressed, as compared to exposure to GE-UA. Moreover, the mRNA expression of interleukin 6, interleukin 1-beta, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ was further suppressed by GE-BA, compared to GE-UA. Similarly, anti-oxidant activities, such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activity, of GE-BA were further increased compared to GE-UA. These observations demonstrate that the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of GSB ethyl acetate fraction increases as a result from bioconversion with the A. kawachii crude enzyme.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.437-443
• /
• 2018

Activation of macrophages plays an important role in the host-immune system. In this study, we investigated the functional roles and related signaling mechanism of hot-water extracts of bee pollen (BPW) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Since BPW did not exert cytotoxicity at concentrations ranging from 62.5 to $250{\mu}g/mL$ in macrophage cells, a concentration of $250{\mu}g/mL$ was used as the maximum dose of BPW throughout subsequent experiments. BPW increased inducible nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide production in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, BPW was found to induce macrophage activation by augmenting the expression of cell surface molecules (cluster of differentiation; CD80/86, and major histocompatibility complex; MHC class I/II) and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, interleukin-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) through mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Taken together, our results indicate that BPW could potentially be used as an immunomodulatory agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.406-412
• /
• 2012

This study was performed to examine the hepatoprotective effect of isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, a flavonoid glycoside isolated from Artemisia capillaris Thunberg (Compositae), against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatic injury. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle or isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) 30 min before and 2 h after $CCl_4$ (20 ${\mu}l/kg$) injection. Serum aminotransferase activities and hepatic level of malondialdehyde were significantly higher after $CCl_4$ treatment, and these increases were attenuated by isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside. $CCl_4$ markedly increased serum tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ level, which was reduced by isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein and their mRNA expression levels were significantly increased after $CCl_4$ injection. The levels of HO-1 protein and mRNA expression levels were augmented by isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, while isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside attenuated the increases in iNOS and COX-2 protein and mRNA expression levels. $CCl_4$ increased the level of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38, and isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside reduced these increases. The nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), activating protein-1, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were significantly increased after $CCl_4$ administration. Isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside attenuated the increases of NF-${\kappa}B$ and c-Jun nuclear translocation, while it augmented the nuclear level of Nrf2. These results suggest that isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside ameliorates $CCl_4$-induced hepatic damage by enhancing the anti-oxidative defense system and reducing the inflammatory signaling pathways.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.1399-1404
• /
• 2005

In oriental medicine, Cheongpyehwadam-tang (CHT) has long been used for the cure of inflammatory diseases in the lung and bronchus such as bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia and tuberculosis. It's use is currently further extended for the treatment of allergic asthma. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of CHT, we investigated the effects of CHT on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) production, and on the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proinflammatory cytokines expression in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. CHT alone did not affect NO or pro-inflammatory cytokines production. In contrast, CHT inhibited LPS-induced NO and proinflammatory cytokines and the levels of LPS-induced iNOS and proinflarnmatory cytokine mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. CHT also inhibited the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) activation. Taken together, these results suggested that CHT inhibits the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells through blockade of NF-kB activation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The aerial parts of Rumex japonicus Houtt. (RF) is used by traditional clinics to treat parasite infection in East asia. This study aims a verification of anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of RF methanol extract. Methods : Anti-oxidative effects of RF were measured by scavenging activities of DPPH, superoxide, nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite radicals. And also scavenging activities of anti-oxidation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells were measured. The inhibitory effects against the production of inflammatory mediators including NO, prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and the translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by RF were tested. Results : RF scavenged DPPH, superoxide, NO and peroxynitrite radicals, and RF (at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) reduced the inflammatory mediators definitely. Conclusions : These results indicate that RF may be a potential drug source for oxidative stress related inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.593-600
• /
• 2014

This study is aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Euphorbiae kansui radix methanol extract (ERE) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from thioglycollate-injected Balb/c mice. Cells were stimulated with LPS or LPS plus interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) in the presence of ERE and various inflammatory markers were assayed. Finally, LPS-induced signaling molecules were measured. ERE up to $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, was not cytotoxic to ERE inhibited LPS/IFN-${\gamma}$-induced nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase. ERE also reduced the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and the proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-12. The inhibitory effect of ERE on LPS-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation was weak but phosphorylation of JNK, p38 and ERK1/2 was strongly suppressed. Our data indicated that the anti-inflammatory effect of ERE in LPS-stimulated macrophages was partly mediated by its inhibition of JNK, p38 and ERK1/2.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.9
• /
• pp.1628-1638
• /
• 2017

Viola tianshanica Maxim, belonging to the Violaceae plant family, is traditionally used in Uighur medicine for treating pneumonia, headache, and fever. There is, however, a lack of basic understanding of its pharmacological activities. This study was designed to observe the effects of the ethanol extract (TSM) from Viola tianshanica Maxim on the inflammation response in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by LPS and the possible underlying mechanisms. We found that TSM (200 and 500 mg/kg) significantly decreased inflammatory cytokine production and the number of inflammatory cells, including macrophages and neutrophils, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. TSM also markedly inhibited the lung wet-to-dry ratio and alleviated pathological changes in lung tissues. In vitro, after TSM ($12.5-100{\mu}g/ml$) treatment to RAW 264.7 cells for 1 h, LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) was added and the cells were further incubated for 24 h. TSM dose-dependently inhibited the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as NO, $PGE_2$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$, and remarkably decreased the protein and mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. TSM also suppressed protein expression of $p-I{\kappa}Ba$ and p-ERK1/2 and blocked nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. The results indicate that TSM exerts anti-inflammatory effects related with inhibition on $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK (p-ERK1/2) signaling pathways. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that TSM might be a potential agent for the treatment of ALI.