• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1299-1306
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• 2024

Antibiotics are used to control infectious diseases. However, adverse effects of antibiotics, such as devastation of the gut microbiota and enhancement of the inflammatory response, have been reported. Health benefits of fermented milk are established and can be enhanced by the addition of probiotic strains. In this study, we evaluated effects of fermented milk containing Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) SNUG50430 in a mouse model with antibiotic treatment. Fermented milk containing 2 × 10⁵ colony-forming units of L. rhamnosus SNUG50430 was administered to six week-old female BALB/c mice for 1 week. Interleukin (IL)-10 levels in colon samples were significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared to water-treated mice, whereas interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were decreased, of mice treated with fermented milk containing L. rhamnosus SNUG50430-antibiotics-treated (FM+LR+Abx-treated) mice. Phylum Firmicutes composition in the gut was restored and the relative abundances of several bacteria, including the genera Coprococcus and Lactobacillus, were increased in FM+LR+Abx-treated mice compared to PBS+Abx-treated mice. Interestingly, abundances of genus Coprococcus and Lactobacillus were positively correlated with IL-5 and IL-10 levels (P < 0.05) in colon samples and negative correlated with IFN-γ and TNF-α levels in serum samples (P < 0.001). Acetate and butyrate were increased in mice with fermented milk and fecal microbiota of FM+LR+Abx-treated mice were highly enriched with butyrate metabolism pathway compared to water-treated mice (P < 0.05). Thus, fermented milk containing L. rhamnosus SNUG50430 was shown to ameliorate adverse health effects caused by antibiotics through modulating immune responses and the gut microbiota.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of water-soluble mulberry leaf extract (ME) on hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via the regulation of hepatic microRNA (miR)-221/222 and inflammation. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 7 each) and fed with 10 kcal% low-fat diet (LF), 45 kcal% high-fat diet (HF), or HF + 0.8% ME for 14 weeks. Lipid profiles and cytokine levels of the liver and serum were measured using commercial enzymatic colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and miR levels in liver tissue were assayed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Supplementation of ME reduces body weight and improves the liver and serum lipid profiles as compared to the HF group. The mRNA levels of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid translocase, which are genes involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly downregulated in the ME group compared to the HF group. In contrast, the mRNA level of hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (involved in fatty acid oxidation) was upregulated by ME supplementation. Furthermore, administration of ME significantly downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators such as hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide were also significantly reduced in ME group compared to the HF group. Expression of hepatic miR-221 and miR-222, which increase in the inflammatory state of the liver, were also significantly inhibited in the ME group compared to the HF group. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME has the potential to improve hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via modulation of inflammatory mediators and hepatic miR-221/222 expressions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2016

Objectives : The aerial parts of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb (Agrimoniae Herba; AH) has been traditionally used as a Korean medicine to treatment of abdominal pain, sore throat, headaches, bloody discharge, parasitic infections and eczema. In this study, we investigated the effect of AH ethanol extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophage cells.Methods : AH was extracted by 30% ethanol (AH-E). Raw264.7 cells were treated with AH-E extract at different concentrations for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS (1㎍/㎖) or without for indicated times. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess assay. The expression of inflammatory mediators, iNOS and COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was detected by RT-PCR, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK MAP kinases (MAPKs) was analyzed by Western blot. Also, the expression of NF-κB in nuclear and cytosol was detected by Western blot.Results : AH-E extract significantly decreased LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. AH-E extract inhibited the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated cells with a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK MAPKs was also inhibited by AH-E extract. AP-E extract inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated cells.Conclusions : Our results suggest that AH-E extract has an anti-inflammatory activity in macrophages-mediated inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory efficacy, and identified their constituents from Brassica napus L. (Korean name: Yuchae) whole plant. Upon the anti-oxidative activities screening, the ethanol extract exhibited potent DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activities. On the anti-inflammation studies using LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, the extract inhibited the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) effectively. To identify major constituents of B. napus extract, further purification was performed and led to isolation of two compounds; isorhamnetin 3,7-O-diglucoside(1) and isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside(2). Quantitative analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) determined the flavonoid 1 as the major constituent. Isolated compounds showed DPPH radical scavenging effects and decreased NO levels without causing cell toxicities. These results indicate that the extract of Yuchae, a rich plant resource in Jeju Island, could be potentially applicable as an anti-oxidative and/or anti-inflammatory ingredients.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.562-570
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• 2007

Soluble or cell-bound IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) does not bind IL-1 but rather forms a complex with IL-1 and IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) resulting in signal transduction. Synthetic peptides to various regions in the Ig-like domains of IL-1RAcP were used to produce antibodies and these antibodies were affinity-purified using the respective antigens. An anti-peptide-4 antibody which targets domain III inhibited 70% of IL-$1\beta$-induced productions of IL-6 and PGE2 from 3T3-L1 cells. Anti-peptide-2 or 3 also inhibited IL-1-induced IL-6 production by 30%. However, antipeptide-1 which is directed against domain I had no effect. The antibody was more effective against IL-$1\beta$ compared to IL-$1\alpha$. IL-1-induced IL-6 production was augmented by coincubation with PGE2. The COX inhibitor ibuprofen blocked IL-1-induced IL-6 and PGE2 production. These results confirm that IL-1RAcP is essential for IL-1 signaling and that increased production of IL-6 by IL-1 needs the co-induction of PGE2. However, the effect of PGE2 is independent of expressions of IL-1RI and IL-1RAcP. Our data suggest that domain III of IL-1RAcP may be involved in the formation or stabilization of the IL-1RI/IL-1 complex by binding to epitopes on domain III of the IL-1RI created following IL-1 binding to the IL-1RI.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.801-809
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• 2002

CSBHT is known to improve immunological response in mice and humans. In this study, CSBHT effect was examined in the context of CD4+ T cells' survival and TCR/CD3 induced activation responses. Spleen cells from 8 week BALB/c mice were cultured in CSBHT containing medium without activation for 24, 48 hr. The MTS assay and revealed that CSBHT did not stimulate spleen lymphocytes as mitogen. Spleen lymphocytes were treated with anti-CD3e/anti-CD28 antibodies for 48hr. Flow cytometry revealed that activity of T cell decreased with CSBHT concentration. CD4+ T cells were isolated and cultured ,in CSBHT containing medium for 48 hr. CSBHT did not affect survival of sorted CD4+ T cells without any involvement of APC. In order to evaluate the direct effect of CSBHT on helper T cells's proliferative capacity prior to activation, CD4+ T cells are isolated after 24hr of culture in CSBHT containing medium and activated with and without anti-CD3e/anti-CD28 activation for 48hr. A higher level of CD69 was observed in 1 ㎍/㎖ of CSBHT treatment than control using flow cytometry. But low CD69 expression was observed in 5㎍/㎖ of CSBHT treatment. Expression of mRNA for cytokines in CD4+ T cell revealed that IL-2 expression was increased in 1 ㎍/㎖. The expression of IL-2R α, INF- γ were increased with concentration. On the other hand mRNA of IL-4 was decreased in dose dependent manner. Results suggest that CSBHT may be desirable for CD4+ T cell's activity in immune responses. Further more, CSBHT may relatively activate Th1 and inactivate Th2.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.375-384
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• 2017

Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogen that triggers severe immune responses in hosts. T. vaginalis ${\alpha}$-actinin 2, $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2, has been used to diagnose trichomoniasis. This study was undertaken to examine the role of $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 as an antigenic molecule to induce immune responses from humans. Western blot analysis using anti-$Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 antibodies indicated its presence in the secreted proteins of T. vaginalis. ELISA was employed to measure cytokine production by vaginal epithelial cells, prostate cells, mouse dendritic cells (DCs), or T cells stimulated with T. vaginalis or $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 protein. Both T. vaginalis and $rTv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 induced cytokine production from epithelial cell lines, including IL-10. Moreover, $CD4^+CD25^-$ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) incubated with $rTv{\alpha}$-actinin 2-treated DCs produced high levels of IL-10. These data indicate that $Tv{\alpha}$-actinin 2 modulates immune responses via IL-10 production by Treg cells.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.327-332
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• 2021

Shiranuhi is a fruit of Citrus species widely cultivated in Jeju Island, Korea. From an extract of Shiranuhi tree branches were identified five polymethoxyflavones possessing anti-inflammatory effects; nobiletin (1), sinensetin (2), tetramethylscutellarein (3), 6-hydroxy-5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (4) and 5-desmethylsinensetin (5). Evaluation of the activities was conducted by monitoring the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) as well as the levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Among the isolates, the compound 4 exhibited the most significant NO inhibition, and suppressed the levels of iNOS and related cytokines. Therefore, it was suggested that the extract and constituents from Shiranuhi tree branches could be useful as anti-inflammatory ingredient.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.483-492
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• 2020

This study provides data to explore functional medicinal food materials that can prevent adult diseases, and verified antioxidant and anti-inflammatory of each solvent fraction of the methanol extract of Salvia plebeia R. Br. in Korea. In the analysis of total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging ability, and FRAP reduction ability as indicators of antioxidant activity, the methanol fraction and ethyl acetate fraction of the Salvia plebeia R. Br. group showed high antioxidant activity. Ethyl acetate fraction of Salvia plebeia R. Br. methanol extract also showed excellent antioxidative activity as compared with BHT. In the mouse macrophage line Raw 264.7 cells, the NO production ability by LPS treatment was significantly increased in the LPS treatment group compared to the untreated group. In inflammatory reactions induced by LPS treatment in Raw 264.7 cells, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, PGE2, IL-1β) and NO production were decreased in the EtOAc fraction and MeOH fraction of the methanol extract of Salvia plebeia R. Br. compared to the case of LPS treatment alone. The anti-inflammatory effect was proved by significantly inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines. The present results suggest that Salvia plebeia R. Br. supplementation is beneficial for the suppression of antioxidant and anti-inflammation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.231-246
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-osteoarthritic effect of the ethanol extract of Boswellia serrata gum resin (FJH-UBS) enriched with keto-β-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid compared to the conventional Boswellia serrata extract by adding the process of removing oil with hexane, in the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered 0, 40, or 80 mg of FJH-UBS/kg body weight (BW)/day for 5 weeks and injected with MIA intra-articularly into right knee joints on day 15 to induce osteoarthritis. Changes in the knee joint microarchitecture, cartilage degradation, the expression of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in serum and synovia were observed. Results: Oral administration of FJH-UBS (80 mg/kg BW/day) reduced MIA-induced knee swelling and cartilage degradation and increased the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan in articular cartilage. Furthermore, FJH-UBS administration reduced MIA-induced increases in the serum levels of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and MMP-13, and MIA-induced increases in the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, 5-lipoxygenase, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in the synovia of knee joints. Conclusion: These results indicate that FJH-UBS exerts its anti-osteoarthritic effects by suppressing the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs and, thus, cartilage degradation. Furthermore, they suggest that FJH-UBS has potential use as a functional food that improves joint and cartilage health.