• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.113-126
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• 2021

In the present study, the halophyte C. falcatum extract and its solvent fractions (n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol, n-butanol, and water) were evaluated for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Antioxidative ability was measured by DPPH radical, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxynitrite scavenging, DNA oxidation inhibition, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). For DPPH radical and peroxynitrite scavenging, DNA oxidation inhibition, and FRAP, 85% aq.MeOH and n-BuOH fractions showed significant scavenging activity. For production of intracellular ROS in HT-1080 cells, 85% aq.MeOH fraction showed the highest scavenging activity. In addition, anti-inflammatory activity was also assessed by measuring the inhibitory effect against mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors (NO, IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2) in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages. For NO production, crude extract exhibited a strong inhibitory effect at a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml. For mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2), n-BuOH greatly suppressed expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6 at 100 ㎍/ml concentration while 85% aq. MeOH fraction significantly inhibited that of COX-2 even at 100 ㎍/ml. These results suggest that C. falcatum may be used as a potential source for the development of a natural antioxidant or anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.533-538
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• 2008

In order to fine antioxidant and whitening agent source from nature, the comparisons of antioxidative activity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity were carried out for various ethanol extract on Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba. Comparing for three ethanol extracts, the highest electron donating ability was found at Polygonati Rhizoma (86.6%), but, the highest SOD-like ability, at the Ephedrae Herba (47.8%). Xanthine oxidase experiment exhibited 95.7% of hindrance effect in Ephedrae Herba, and 84.0% in Polygonati Rhizoma. A tyrosinase inhibitory activity assay was conducted to evaluate the whitening effects of the extracts, The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was 6.5% in the Polygoni Multiflori Radix, 32.6% in the Polygonati Rhizoma, 64.0% in the Ephedrae Herba. Based on these results, we suggest that the ethanol extracts of Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba can be used as food and cosmetic ingredients.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 2009

Lindera obtusiloba has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine in Korea and recently known to have an anti-fibrotic effect. In this report, we investigated the effect of hot water extract from L. obtusiloba (WELB) on the mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation and studied its possible mechanisms of action. WELB inhibited phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-induced histamine release in HMC-1 human mast cells. WELB reduced PMACI-induced gene expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8. The inhibitory effect of WELB on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines was c-jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ dependent. These results indicate that WELB may be beneficial in the treatment of mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by severe inflammation in the colon. Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide. Pu-erh tea, a unique Chinese tea produced by microbial activities, possesses a broad range of health-promoting effects, including anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antioxidation and anti-obesity. However, the inhibitory effect of Pu-erh tea on intestinal inflammation and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. The present study was designed to evaluate the regulatory effect of Pu-erh tea extract (PTE) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis clinical signs by analyzing the weight loss and colon length in mice. The inhibitory effects of PTE on inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were also determined in DSS-treated colitis tissue. We observed that PTE treatment significantly inhibited the DSS-induced clinical symptoms of weight loss, decrease,in colon length, and colon tissue damage in mice. Moreover, PTE attenuated the DSS-induced levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in colon tissue. We also demonstrated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PTE by suppressing the activation of NF-κB in DSS-treated colon tissues. Collectively, the findings provide experimental evidence that PTE may be effective in preventing and treatment of intestinal inflammatory disorders, including UC.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.23-29
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract from Scolopendrae Corpus (SC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. Methods : To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SC, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, inteleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6) on RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa B a ($I{\kappa}$-Ba) using western blot. Furthermore, we also investigated the effect of SC on LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Results : Extract from SC itself had not any cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 cells. Aqueous extract from SC inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression. SC pre-treatment also inhibited IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. To investigate inhibitory effects of SC on inflammatory mediators, activation of MAPKs was examined. SC inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 kinases (p38), c-Jun $NH_2$-terminal kinase (JNK) and also the degradation of $I{\kappa}$-$B{\alpha}$ in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Furthermore, SC administration reduced LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Conclusion : SC down-regulated LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of activation of p38, JNK and degradation of $I{\kappa}$-$B{\alpha}$. Taken together, our results suggest that SC may be a beneficial drug against inflammatory diseases such as sepsis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2022

Objective: In this study, we investigated the protective effect of rhododendron mucronulatum extract (RME) on allergic reactions and inflammation. Methods: The effect of RME was determined using ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 mast cells and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. We determined cell viability, β-hexosaminidase release, and the synthesis of IL-4 and TNF-α in RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, we determined NO from RAW 264.7 and the gene expression of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Results: RME inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and synthesis of IL-4 and TNF-α in RBL-2H3 by the anti-DNP IgE plus DNP-HSA stimulation. In addition, RME inhibited the production of NO and the gene expression of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion: From these results, we concluded that RME possesses anti-allergic activity and anti-inflammatory activity due to the inhibition of mast cells and macrophage function.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.659-665
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• 2020

Adenophorae Radix (AR) has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases. However, the regulatory mechanisms of AR in allergic inflammation are not yet understood. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect and mechanisms of AR on the mast cell-mediated allergic response. To determine the pharmacological mechanisms of AR in allergic inflammation, we evaluated the effects of AR on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and IL-8 as well as the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and caspase-1 in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1). Our results demonstrated that AR effectively attenuated the PMACI-induced production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-8 in stimulated HMC-1. Additionally, we showed that the inhibitory effect of AR on inflammatory cytokines in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells involved the suppression of the activation NF-kB/caspase-1 in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence that AR may be a useful candidate for the treatment of allergic inflammation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract from Picrasmae Lignum(PL). Methods: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of PL extract, the productions of NO, PGE2 and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine(IL-1b, IL-6 and TNF-a) were measured in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore Western blot analysis has been done to look into the inhibitory mechanisms such as MAPKs and NF-kB. Results: PL extract down-regulated LPS-induced NO, PGE2, IL-1b, IL-6 and TNF-a productions mainly through JNK and p38 MAPK pathway and NF-kB pathway. Conclusions: These results suggest that PL extract may be effective for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.82-85
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• 2006

Eucommia ulmoides bark extracts by cold water, boiling water, 100% EtOH, 70% EtOH, 100% MeOH, 70% MeOH and $CHCl_3$ were assayed for their medicinal effects. The antioxidant activity of the extracts ranged from $IC_{50}$ 125.2 to $IC_{50}\;872.7{\mu}g/ml$ in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) free radical-scavenging assay, and cold water extracts had the highest antioxidant activity. $CHCl_3$ extracts had the highest inhibitory effect on angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) giving inhibition of up to 56.4% at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. Extracts in 100% EtOH had the greatest inhibitory effect on $\acute{a}-amylase$ activity ($IC_{50}=174.6{\mu}g/ml$), and 70% MeOH extracts had the greatest inhibitory effect on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ activity ($IC_{50}=14.0{\mu}g/ml$). Taken together, these results provided the in vitro evidence on the ACE, amylase and glucosidase inhibitory actions of E. ulmoides bark that form the pharmacological basis for its antihypertensive and antidiabetic action.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.413-420
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• 2015

Dexmedetomidine is a sedative and analgesic agent that exerts its effects by selectively agonizing ${\alpha}2$ adrenoceptor. Histamine is a pathophysiological amine that activates G protein-coupled receptors, to induce $Ca^{2+}$ release and subsequent mediate or progress inflammation. Dexmedetomidine has been reported to exert inhibitory effect on inflammation both in vitro and in vivo studies. However, it is unclear that dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. This study was carried out to assess how dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and regulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes encoding interleukin (IL)-6 and -8. To elucidate the regulatory role of dexmedetomidine on histamine signaling, HeLa cells and human salivary gland cells which are endogenously expressed histamine 1 receptor were used. Dexmedetomidine itself did not trigger $Ca^{2+}$ peak or increase in the presence or absence of external $Ca^{2+}$. When cells were stimulated with histamine after pretreatment with various concentrations of dexmedetomidine, we observed inhibited histamine-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ signal in both cell types. Histamine stimulated IL-6 mRNA expression not IL-8 mRNA within 2 hrs, however this effect was attenuated by dexmedetomidine. Collectively, these findings suggest that dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and IL-6 expression and will be useful for understanding the antagonistic properties of dexmedetomidine on histamine-induced signaling beyond its sedative effect.