• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2023

Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate anti-arthritic activity of Ajmodadi Churna (AC) and its effect on Complete freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in Wistar rats. Methods: Arthritis was induced by injecting 0.2 mL CFA into sub plantar surface of left hind paw. Test sample AC-1 and AC-2, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively was given to the animals for 21 consecutive days. The increase in swelling was observed after induction of arthritis. The paw edema was measured on 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 day using Vernier caliper after the induction of arthritis. The collected blood samples further used for the estimation of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), and hemoglobin (Hb), using hematology analyzer. Serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α were also measured using rat ELISA kits. Results: Results showed that a significant reduction in paw edema was observed in AC-2 treated rats. The paw edema was restored on day 21 was 4.48 mm for AC-2, which is near to the control group. The arthritis score in treated rats was found to be considerably lower than in the control group i.e. 0.83 for AC-2 and 1.50 for AC-1. A decrease in levels of RBC and hemoglobin were observed in arthritic rats. Inflammation was significantly reduced and serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were lowered after treatment with the test drug. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the study that AC possess significant anti-arthritic activity. Furthermore, this condition was linked to a reduction in abnormal humoral immune responses.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.494-507
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• 2023

Vascular dementia (VaD) is characterized by progressive memory impairment, which is associated with microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Polyphenol-rich natural plants, which possess anti-inflammatory activities, have attracted scientific interest worldwide. This study investigated whether Rubus fruticosus leaf extract (RFLE) can attenuate VaD. Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into five groups: SO, sham-operated and treated with vehicle; OP, operated and treated with vehicle; RFLE-L, operated and treated with low dose (30 mg/kg) of RFLE; RFLE-M, operated and treated with medium dose (60 mg/kg) of RFLE; and RFLE-H, operated and treated with high dose (90 mg/kg) of RFLE. Bilateral common carotid artery and hypotension were used as a modeling procedure, and the RFLE were intraorally administered for 5 days (preoperative 2 and postoperative 3 days). The rats then underwent memory tests including the novel object recognition, Y-maze, Barnes maze, and passive avoidance tests, and neuronal viability and neuroinflammation were quantified in their hippocampi. The results showed that the OP group exhibited VaD-associated memory deficits, neuronal death, and microglial activation in hippocampi, while the RFLE-treated groups showed significant attenuation in all above parameters. Next, using BV-2 microglial cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we evaluated the effects of RFLE in dynamics of proinflammatory mediators and the upstream signaling pathway. RFLE pretreatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced release of nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-6 and upregulation of the MAPKs/NF-κB/iNOS pathway. Collectively, we suggest that RFLE can attenuate the histologic alterations and memory deficits accompanied by VaD, and these roles are, partly due to the attenuation of microglial activation.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.538-551
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• 2023

Exposure to environmental pollutants such as carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄) causes liver damage. This study aimed to compare the ameliorative activity of the dates flesh extract (DFE) and selenium-nanoparticles (SeNPs) on CCL₄-induced hepatotoxicity and if DFE could be a useful alternative supplement. Twenty-four male albino rats were enrolled and randomly divided into four equal groups (6 rats in each group): control group received only basal diet with no medications. Group II received CCL₄ in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection twice weekly for four weeks. Group III rats were pretreated with SeNPs in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg once a day orally three times/wk for four weeks alone then combined with the previously described dose of CCL₄ for another four weeks. Group IV rats were pretreated with DFE in a dose of 8 ml of the aqueous extract/kg/d orally for four weeks alone then combined with the previously described dose of CCL₄ for another four weeks. The liver damage was assessed by estimation of plasma concentration of albumin and enzymes activities of alanine aminotransferase and tissue genes expression. Liver oxidation levels were assessed by measuring the tissue concentration of the malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and the total glutathione. Additionally, inflammatory mediators tumour necrosis factor--α and interleukin-6 were estimated. Detecting the liver's cellular structural damage was done by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. This study suggests that CCL₄-induced liver damage in rats can be protected by administration whether the costly SeNPs or the economical DFE.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.672-680
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• 2023

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng, has pharmacological activities for immunological and neurodegenerative disorders. But, the role of KRGE in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unclear. Purpose: To determine whether KRG extract (KRGE) could inhibit demyelination in corpus callosum (CC) of cuprizone (CPZ)-induced murine model of MS Methods: Male adult mice were fed with a standard chow diet or a chow diet supplemented with 0.2% (w/w) CPZ ad libitum for six weeks to induce demyelination while were simultaneously administered with distilled water (DW) alone or KRGE-DW (0.004%, 0.02 and 0.1% of KRGE) by drinking. Results: Administration with KRGE-DW alleviated demyelination and oligodendrocyte degeneration associated with inhibition of infiltration and activation of resident microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages as well as downregulation of proinflammatory mediators in the CC of CPZ-fed mice. KRGE-DW also attenuated the level of infiltration of Th1 and Th17) cells, in line with inhibited Mrna expression of IFN-γ and IL-17, respectively, in the CC. These positive effects of KRGE-DW mitigated behavioral dysfunction based on elevated plus maze and the rotarod tests. Conclusion: The results strongly suggest that KRGE-DW may inhibit CPZ-induced demyelination due to its oligodendroglial protective and anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting infiltration/activation of immune cells. Thus, KRGE might have potential in therapeutic intervention for MS.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.512-519
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• 2014

This study investegated the effect of Liriope platyphylla (LP) on allergic reactions and its mechanism of action. We investigated the effect of LP on Evans Blue (EB) extravasation induced by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-IgE in rats. We tested whether the ethanol extract of LP reduced ear skin thickness and historical changes induced by topical application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) to ears of mice. We evaluated compound 48/80-induced release of histamine in rats peritoneal mast cell (RPMCs). We also investigated the regulatory effect of LP on the level of inflammatory mediators in PMACI-induced human mast cell (HMC-1); cytokine IL-6, IL-8, TNF-${\alpha}$ in HMC-1, MAPKs (ERK, JNK and p38) in HMC-1. The ethanol extract of LP (81.3 mg/100 g body weight) significantly inhibited the PCA reaction compared with the control (P < 0.05). However, LP did not prevent topical applications of DNFB-induced ear skin thickening and histological changes. In RPMCs, histamine release induced by compound 48/80 was significantly attenuated by LP at $100{\mu}g/ml$ (P < 0.05). LP extract ($100{\mu}g/ml$) significantly reduced the PMACI-induced IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion via inhibition of ERK phosphorylation in HMC-1. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of LP inhibited mast cell-derived, immediate-type allergic reactions, and the result suggest the potential of LP for preventing allergic inflammatory disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Chaenomelis Fructus Herba Water Extract(CF) on the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cell mouse macrophages stimulated with LPS. Methods: We have not examined effect of CF on the cell viability of RAW 264.7 cell until we investigated effects of CF on LPS-induced productions of NO, Ca and various cytokines in RAW 264.7 cell. And when p-value is below 0.05, it is judged to have the significant difference statistically(P<0.05). Results: 1. CF increased the cell viability in the RAW 264.7 cell at the density of 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. 2. CF inhibited significantly increasing the production of NO in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell at the density of 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. 3. CF inhibited significantly increasing the production of Intracellular Ca in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell at the density of 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. 4. CF inhibited significantly the IL-2, IL-10, IL-12p70, TNF-${\alpha}$, GM-CSF, M-CSF, LIF and VEGF of the RAW 264.7 cell induced by LPS at the density of 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. 5. CF inhibited significantly the IL-4 at the density of 25, 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, the IL-5, IL-15 and MIG at the density of 25, 50 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ and IFN-${\gamma}$ at the density of 25, 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ respectively in the RAW 264.7 cell increased by LPS. Conclusions: CF inhibited significantly increasing IL-2, IL-10, IL-12p70, TNF-${\alpha}$, GM-CSF, M-CSF, LIF, VEGF, NO and Ca in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell at the density of more than 25 ${\mu}g/ml$ without causing the toxicity. These results signify that CF has antiinflammatory effect on controlling the over inflammatory reaction by the RAW 264.7 cell.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.81-102
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• 2018

Objectives : I analysed daehwangmokdan-tang's compatibility principle by the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy and investigated pharmacological activities by categorizing with chemical components, molecular level, cellular level, animal level and human level based on Korean and Chinese studies for this formula. Methods : Daehwangmokdan-tang's compatibiltity principle was examined by the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy. I looked into studies that presented in Korea from 1956 to 2016 about daehwangmokdan-tang through KOREA INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE, Korean medicine information system (OASIS) and in Chinese for 20 years about daehwangmokdan-tang through China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CNKI. Then classify into chemical components, molecular level, cellular level, animal level and human level to analyse. Results : According to the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy, chief herb is Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Moutan Cortex, deputy herb is Natrii Sulfas and Persicae Semen, assistant and envoy herbs are Trichosanthis Semen. The amount of extraction of paeonol, total anthraquinone, and conjugated anthraquinone from daehwangmokdan-tang with the formulation of the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy was the highest, and in the formulation of chief herb and deputy herb, the extraction amount of paeonol and conjugated anthraquinone was the lowest. With other formulations, the amount of extraction of total anthraquinone and conjugated anthraquinone was improved, although the degree was different. In particular, when it is blended with Persicae Semen as a deputy herb, the extraction amount of total anthraquinone and conjugated anthraquinone of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma as a chief herb is greatly increased, and the extraction amount of paeonol is rather different, but it is lowered. It was found that the amount of Mg Ca K Na in daehwangmokdan-tang was the highest. Pharmacological activities can be detected in inflammatory mediators and enzymes for molecular level. For cellular level, it can be determined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell line. In mouse and rats for animal level and human level, in inflammatory diseases (acute appendicitis, acute pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, acute abdominal disease, ect.), pharmacological activities was caught. Conclusions : From the above results, daehwangmokdan-tang is composed in line with the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy, suggesting that there is certain rationality and scientific. Pharmacological activities of daehwangmokdan-tang are effective to anti-inflammation, improvement of sepsis, analgesic, muscle relaxation, and improvement of intestinal flora and its metabolites. Daehwangmokdan-tang is consistent with the action of diuresis and anti-inflammation in terms of the content of elements, suggesting that there is action of purging fire and removing blood stasis, defecation detoxification, cooling blood and clearing heat and activating blood and dispersing stasis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.180-186
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• 2008

In this study, we examined the effects of the fermented soybeans by Bacillus subtilis (FSB) and the novel three-step fermented soybeans (TFS) on the expression and activity of COX-2 in human leukemic U937 cell model. Treatment of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) significantly induced pro-inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 expression and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ production, whereas the levels of COX-1 remained unchanged. However, pre-treatment with FSB and TFS significantly attenuated the PMA-induced COX-2 protein as well as mRNA, which was associated with inhibition of $PGE_2$ production. Moreover, TFS exerts a much better inhibitory activity than FSB against PMA-induced activation of COX-2 and production of $PGE_2$ in U937 cells. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of FSB and TFS.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.629-638
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• 2008

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to compare and quantify the expression of Stromelysin-1 and MT-MMP-1 in the gingival tissues of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) and healthy adults with chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery or tooth extraction. According to the patient's systemic condition & clinical criteria of gingiva, each gingival sample was devided into three groups. Group 1 (n=8) is clinically healthy gingiva without bleeding and no evidence of bone resorption or periodontal pockets, obtained from systemically healthy 8 patients. Group 2 (n=8) is inflammed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis. Group 3 (n=8) is inflammed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis associated with type 2 DM. Tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by Western blotting. The quantification of Stromelysin-1 and MT-MMP-1 were performed using a densitometer and statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test. Results: In the analysis of expression levels, Stromelysin-1 and MT-MMP-1 expressions were similar in group 1 and 2. Stromelysin-1 and MT-MMP-1 expressions was more increased in group 3 than group 1, 2. The difference between group 3 and group 1, 2 was statistically significant. Also, in the interrelationship of Stromelysin-1 and MT-MMP-1 expressions, expressions of Stromelysin-1 and MT-MMP-1 showed increasing tendency in chronic periodontitis associated with type 2 DM and it seems that the MT-MMP-1 expressions were increasing in proportion to Stromelysin-1 expressions. Conclusion: It is suggested that Stromelysin-1 and MT-MMP-1 may be partly involved in the progression of periodontal inflammation associated with type 2 DM, as related to a metabolism of other factors, such as AGE, plasmin and other inflammatory mediators. Therefore, the expression levels of Stromelysin-1 and MT-MMP-1 can be inflammatory markers of periodontal inflammed tissue with type 2 DM.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and ultraviolet (UV)-protective effect of Pleurotus eryngii extract (PEE) in activated RAW 264.7 cells and UV-induced mouse skin damage. The results showed that PEE strongly inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 at high concentrations in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, PEE treatment suppressed erythema, melanin index, and epidermal thickness to a greater degree than ascorbic acid (AA) treatment in UV-irradiated mice. Finally, PEE treatment inhibited the infiltration of mast cell to a similar degree of AA treatment. Therefore, these results indicate that PEE could improve inflammation and skin damage in immune cells and UV-irradiated mice. This study may provide positive insights into PEE as a functional food and cosmetic ingredient for treatment of inflammation and skin damage.