• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.853-859
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• 2009

Nardostachys chinensis has been used widely as a traditional medicine for the treatment of diverse diseases. The dried plant was extracted with 85% methanol extract (NC). We investigated the antioxidant properties of NC on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion and nitric oxide radical scavenging capacity under in vitro assays. NC showed potent antioxidant activity, compared to ascorbic acid. In macrophages, nitric oxide is released as an inflammatory mediator and has been proposed to be an important modulator of many pathophysiological conditions in inflammation. In the present study, it was also investigated that the inhibition effects on NO and the mechanism of down-regulation of immune response by NC in IFN-IFN-$\gamma$/LPS-stimulated mouse (C57BL/6) peritoneal macrophages. Extracts of NC suppressed NO production and the expression of iNOS and COX-2. The present results indicate that NC has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and therefore may be beneficial in diseases which related to oxidative stress-mediated chronic inflammatory disorders.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity of the water extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Pt-WE). Methods : Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW264.7 cells, we examined inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). Also, the inhibitory effect of Pt-WE on the activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and upstream signaling molecules was evaluated. To assess the protective effect of Pt-WE on hydrochloride/ethanol (HCl/EtOH)-induced gastric ulcer in mice, we compared Pt-WE (200 mg/kg) with ranitidine (50 mg/kg) treated mice's gastric mucosa, based on gross observations. Results : Pt-WE inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, $PGE_2$ in a dose-dependent manner, without causing cytotoxicity. Pt-WE suppressed AP-1 activation by reducing generations of both c-Jun and c-Fos. In addition, Pt-WE inhibited the p-MKK 4/7 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4/7) and p-JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) 1 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcer lesions were inhibited by pre-treatment of Pt-WE based on gross observations. In addition, Pt-WE decreased the phosphorylation level of JNK. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Pt-WE has anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects. Thus, Pt-WE may be used widely in treatment of not only neurodegenerative diseases but also inflammatory diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2020

Dysregulation of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) can lead to the pathologic states and result in the development of various diseases including cancers and inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of microRNA-22 (miR-22) in HDAC6-mediated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. LPS stimulation induced HDAC6 expression, but suppressed miR-22 expression in macrophages, suggesting possible correlation between HDAC6 and miR-22. Luciferase reporter assays revealed that 3'UTR of HDAC6 was a bona fide target site of miR-22. Transfection of miR-22 mimic significantly inhibited LPS-induced HDAC6 expression, while miR-22 inhibitor further increased LPS-induced HDAC6 expression. LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1 was inhibited by miR-22 mimic, but further increased by miR-22 inhibitor. LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was inhibited by miR-22 mimic, but further increased by miR-22 inhibitor. Taken together, these data provide evidence that miR-22 can downregulate LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines via suppression of NF-κB and AP-1 axis by targeting HDAC6 in macrophages.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.275-282
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• 2011

Inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) have been implicated in various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of Chondria crassicaulis ethanolic extract (CCE) by measuring its effects on the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. CCE significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the LPS-induced release of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$, and suppressed the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, without causing any cytotoxicity. It also inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment with CCE strongly suppressed nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) promoter-driven expression in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. CCE treatment blocked nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-${\kappa}B$ by preventing proteolytic degradation of inhibitor of ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$. These results indicate that CCE regulates iNOS and COX-2 expression through NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent transcriptional control, and identifies potential candidates for the treatment or prevention of inflammatory diseases.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.2955-2962
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• 2014

Asian ginseng is used as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases, ischemia, and cancers. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a late mediator of severe vascular inflammatory conditions. However, the effect of ginsenosides from Asian ginseng on HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses has not been studied. We addressed this question by monitoring the effects of ginsenoside treatment on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated release of HMGB1, and HMGB1-mediated regulation of proinflammatory responses. Ginsenoside treatment suppressed LPS-mediated release of HMGB1 and HMGB1-mediated cytoskeletal rearrangements. Ginsenosides also inhibited HMGB1-mediated inflammatory responses. In addition, ginsenosides inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and activation of protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), and extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by HMGB1. Ginsenosides also decreased CLP-induced release of HMGB1, production of interleukin (IL) $1{\beta}/6$, and mortality. These results suggested that ginsenosides may be potential therapeutic agents for treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases through inhibition of the HMGB1 signaling pathway.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.423-434
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• 2014

Objectives: Activated microglia cells play an important role in inflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS) which are involved in neurodegenerative diseases. We attempted to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of Cheongnoimyungshin-hwan (CNMSH) in microglia cells. Methods: We examined the effect of CNMSH on the inflammatory responses in BV2 microglia cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explored the mechanism underlying the action of CNMSH. Results: BV2 cells treated with LPS showed an up-regulation of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $PGE_2(PGE_2)$ and interleukin $1{\beta}(IL-1{\beta})$ release, whereas CNMSH suppressed this up-regulation. CNMSH inhibited the induction of COX-2, iNOS and $IL-1{\beta}$ proteins in LPS-treated BV2 cells and blocked the LPS-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B(NF-{\kappa}B$). Furthermore, CNMSH attenuated the LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), as well as the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, but did not inhibit the LPS-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun amino terminal kinase. Conclusions: These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of CNMSH on the LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines in BV2 cells is associated with the suppression of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ and PI3KAkt signaling pathways.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2009

A variety of herbs and plants have been traditionally used in oriental folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In our attempt to search for anti-inflammatory agents from natural products, we investigated 64 methanol extracts from 42 medicinal plants belonging to 10 families which were evaluated for inhibitory activities of NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Among them, 16 extracts exhibited inhibitory activities of NO production ($IC_{50}$ values ranging from 59.6 to 94.7 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$). Only the extract from aerial parts of Hosta lancifolia (H. lancifolia) did not exert cytotoxic effects at the concentrations tested. The extract from H. lancifolia decreased the mRNA and protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in activated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that the extract may contain bioactive compounds that suppress expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may prove beneficial with regard to the development of natural agents for prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Objectives : ROS are involved in a wide spectrum of diseases including chronic inflammation and cancer. S.chinensis Baill, a perennial herb commonly called Chinese lizard's tail or Sam-baek-cho in Korea, is used for the treatment of edema and inflammatory diseases in the Oriental folk medicine. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effects of the two extracts, water(WE) and ethyl acetate(EAE) from S.chinensis Baill. Methods : Anti-oxidant activity was evaluated using Fe2+ chelating and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. DNA cleavage assay, and western blot and immunostaining for phospho-p65 were performed to evaluate anti-oxidative effect. Anti-inflammatory effect was performed using NO generation assay and western blot in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell. Results : In Fe2+ chelating activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, WE showed more strong scavenging activity for hydroxyl radical than EAE. WE scavenged hydroxyl radical by 12% at 3.2 ${\mu}g/ml$, 21% at 16 ${\mu}g/ml$, 32% at 80 ${\mu}g/ml$, 66% at 400 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 82% at 2000 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, WE showed more strong chelating activity than EAE. WE chelated Fe2+ ion by 1.1% at 3.2 ${\mu}g/ml$, 8.2% at 16 ${\mu}g/ml$, 26.3% at 80 ${\mu}g/ml$, 72% at 400 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 89% at 2000 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Also, WE inhibited oxidative damage via its anti-oxidant activity. In anti-inflammatory effect, EAE inhibited NO production and iNOS expression. In addition EAE suppressed the NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPK signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : Together, these data indicate that S. chinensis Baill, shows anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 2013

Since the identification and characterization of toll-like receptors (TLR) in Drosophila, numerous scientific studies have examined the role of TLRs in host innate immunity. Recent studies have suggested a convergence of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling and cytokine production regulated by the cytosolic elicitor known as NLRs (nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing domain receptors) as a key modulator in inflammatory diseases. Among the NLRs, NOD1 and NOD2 have been intensively investigated for its role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). On the other hand, NLRs such as NLRP3, NLRP1, and NLRC4 (also known as IPAF) have been identified to form the inflammasome to activate downstream signaling molecules in response to pathogenic microbes. There is evidence to suggest that substantial crosstalk exists for the TLR and NLR signaling pathway in response to pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP). However, the substrate and the mechanistic role of NLRs are largely unknown in innate immune response. Understanding the signaling mechanisms by which NLRs recognize PAMP and other danger signals will shed light on elucidating the pathogenesis of various human inflammatory diseases such as IBD.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2009

Polygoni multiflori Ramulus (PM), the stem of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. has been widely used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of lots of diseases. In macrophages, nitric oxide is released as an inflammatory mediator and has been proposed to be an important modulator of many pathophysiological conditions in inflammation. In the present study, it was investigated that the inhibitory effects on NO and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the mechanism of down-regulation of immune response by 85% methanol extracts of PM in mouse (C57BL/6) peritoneal macrophages. Extracts of PM (0.1, 1 mg/ml) suppressed NO production and showed inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines like TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and it attenuated iNOS and COX-2 expression via down-regulation of NF-${\kappa}$B activation. The present results indicate that the 85% methanol extracts of PM has an inhibitory effect on the production of NO through down-regulation of iNOS expression in LPS stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages and therefore may be beneficial in diseases which related to macrophage-mediated inflammatory disorders.