• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2010

Objective : Sinapis alba L. (SA) is a korean traditional herbal medicine that is usually used to prevent or treat inflammatory diseases, such as respiratory infection and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the effects of SA supplementation in vitro on serum antibody levels, splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage immune responses have not yet been determined. In this study, we examined the effect of SA on the production of Th1/Th2 cytokines. Methods : Splenocytes were isolated from naive C57BL/6 mice. Cells were enriched for CD4+ cell populations by first staining the cells with anti-CD4 (BD PharMingen, Calif, USA). CD4+ T cells were selected on a (CS) column, and the flow-through was collected as CD4+ T cells. Isolated cells were activated by overnight incubation on 24-well plates coated with $1{\mu}g/mL$ anti-CD3, $1{\mu}g/mL$ anti-CD28 and with SA ($100{\mu}g/mL$). Primary macrophages were collected from the peritoneal cavities of mice (8-week-old female C57BL/6). The peritoneal macrophages were washed and plated with RPMI-1640 overnight for the experiments. After 48-hours cultures, samples were centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the supernatants were stored at $-80^{\circ}C$. Mouse IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were quantified using ELISA kits (BioSource International, Camarillo, Calif, USA) according to the manufacturer's protocols. Results : SA at 100ug/ml decreased the generation of Th1 cytokine (IFN-$\gamma$) by 0.5-fold. However, SA has no effect on Th2 (IL-4) production. Conclusions : These results suggest that SA may play an important role in the control of T-cell-mediated autoimmunity by down-regulation of Th1 cytokine (especially IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$). These data may contribute to the design of new immunomodulating treatments for a group of autoimmune diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

Objectives: Astragalus membranaceus has been reported to inhibit immune responses, but its effect on hair loss is not clear. In this study, the effect of A. membranaceus extract (AM) on hair regrowth in C57BL/6 mice with natural hair loss in the telogen phase was investigated. Methods: Mice with natural hair loss were topically treated with 1% AM on the dorsal skin for 2 weeks. Dorsal skin samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and probed with an anti-mouse CD8a IgG. The mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ and interleukin (IL)-4 were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: AM treatment induced hair regrowth in hair loss mice, while control mice suffered continued hair loss. Tapering hair shafts and broken hair follicles were decreased as well as CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration. In addition, the expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 were reduced by AM treatment. Also, AM treatment significantly increased the KGF expressions in Hs68 fibroblast cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that topical application of A. membranaceus may be an alternative therapy for hair loss.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.40.1-40.15
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• 2020

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord. Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM-19 OVN. GRIM19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.66-81
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus water extract (LF) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse macrophages RAW 264.7 cell. Methods: Ligustri Lucidi Fructus was extracted with distilled water (2,000 ml) for 2 hours. In order to evaluate cytotoxicity of LF, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed. To investigate anti-inflammatory effects of LF, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was measured with NO assay, cytokine was measured by Bio-Plex cytokine assay, and intracellular calcium (Ca) was measured with Fluo-4 Ca assay 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. LF showed no cytotoxicity. 2. LF inhibited significantly the production of NO at the concentration of 25, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$. 3. LF inhibited significantly the production of interleukin (IL)-4, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-$1{\alpha}$, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) at the concentration of 25, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$. 4. LF inhibited significantly the production of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at the concentration of 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$, the interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ at 25, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ respectively. 5. LF inhibited significantly the production of IL-$1{\beta}$ at the concentration of 50 and $200{\mu}g/ml$, the IL-5 at 25 and $100{\mu}g/ml$, the IL-12p70, MIP-$1{\beta}$ at 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$, the regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secrete d (RANTES) at 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$ respectively. 6. LF inhibited significantly the production of IL-10, interferon gamma-induced protein (IP)-10 at the concentration of $200{\mu}g/ml$. 7. LF inhibited significantly the production of intracellular Ca at the concentration of 25, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$. Conclusions: These results suggest that LF has anti-inflammatory effect and immuno-modulating activity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.527-532
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• 1995

Human taurine transporter has 12 transmembrane domains and its molecular weight is 69.6 kDa. The long cytoplasmic carboxy and amino termini might function as regulatory attachment sites for other proteins. Six potential protein kinase C phosphorylation sites have been reported in human taurine transporter. In this report, we studied the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and glucocorticoid hormone on taurine transportation in the RAW 264.7, mouse macrophage cell line. When the cells were incubated with $[^{3}H]taurine$ in the presence or absence of $Na^+$ ion for 40 min at $37^{\circ}C$, the [$[^{3}H]taurine$ uptake rate was 780-times higher in the $Na^{+}-containing$ buffer than in the $Na^{+}-deficient$ buffer, indicating that this cell line expresses taurine transporter protein on the cell surface. THP1, a human promonocyte cell line, also showed a similar property. The $[^{3}H]taurine$ uptake rate was not influenced by the inflammatory inducing cytokines such as interleukin-1, gamma-interferon or interleukin-1+gamma-interferon, but was decreased by the PMA in the RAW 264.7 cell line. This suggests that activation of protein kinase C inhibits taurine transporter activity directly or indirectly. The inhibition of $[^{3}H]taurine$ uptake by PMA was time-dependent. Maximal inhibition occurred in one hr stimulation with PMA Increasing the treatment time beyond one h reduced the $[^{3}H]taurine$ uptake inhibition due to the depletion or inactivation of protein kinase C. The cell line also showed concentration-dependent $[^{3}H]taurine$ uptake under PMA stimulation. The phorbol-ester caused 23% inhibition at the concentration of 1 ${\mu}m$ PMA. The inhibition was significant even at a concentration as low as 10 nM PMA The reduced $[^{3}H]taurine$ uptake could be recovered by treatment with glucocorticosteroid hormone. Dexamethasone led to recover of the reduced taurine uptake induced by phorbol-ester, recovering maximally after one hr. This may suggest that macrophage cells require higher taurine concentration in a stressed state, for the secretion of glucocorticoid hormone is increased by hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activation in the blood stream.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.961-966
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• 2011

This research was carried out to evaluate the value of tofu containing mushroom as a immunomodulator. Tofu was made using $CaSO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$ or Lactobacillus extract as a coagulant after adding powder of fruit bodies or mycelia of Letino edodes and Lepista nuda to soybean milk. Proximate compositions of tofu and tofu containing mushroom were analyzed. Levels of interferon ${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in culture media of lymphocytes collected from mouse spleens after being injected with mushroom, regular tofu, or tofu made with mushroom were measured by sandwich ELISA. In addition, concentrations of IgG1, IgG2a and IgE in plasma or lymphocyte culture media were analyzed. Crude protein, crude lipid and crude ash were decreased in tofu containing mushroom but phosphorus was increased significantly. IFN-${\gamma}$ concentration was significantly decreased in mice injected with fruit body or tofu alone. IL-4 level was decreased significantly in mice injected with tofu containing fruit body of L. edodes. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ was increased in mice injected with tofu containing fruit body of L. edodes. Plasma levels of IgG1 were increased in almost all groups, while there was no significant change in IgG2a levels among treated mice groups. Concentrations of IgG1 and IgG2a were increased significantly in lymphocyte culture media of mice injected with tofu containing mushroom. Plasma levels of IgE level was significantly increased in mice injected with tofu or fruit body of L. edodes, but not in mice treated with tofu containing mushroom. These results showed that tofu with mushroom affected immune activities, and it seems valuable to consider developing the mixture of tofu and L. edodes as an immunomodulator.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.8
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• pp.1121-1127
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• 2015

This study investigated the effects of Myagropsis myagroides ethanol extract (MMEE) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice. The effects of MMEE on DNCB-induced BALB/c mice were evaluated by examining skin symptom severity, levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 in serum, and levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and $interferon-{\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$) in splenocytes. MMEE significantly reduced the total clinical severity score, total IgE levels, as well as $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4 production in an AD mouse model but increased IL-10 production. Production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in splenocytes was reduced by MMEE, whereas $IFN-{\gamma}$ production increased. These results suggest that MMEE can inhibit the development of AD-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice by modulating the immune response and may be an effective potential therapeutic agent for AD.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2010

Purpose : To investigate the effects of the lavender, lemon and eucalyptus oil mixture on the atopy dermatitis skin lesions induced on NC/Nga Mice by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Material and Method : For this purpose, we fabricated the oil mixture blending three essential oils (lavender, lemon, eucalyptus : ELL) with one carrier oil (jojoba) and apply it on the atopic dermatitis skin lesions of NC/Nga Mice. Atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice was induced by DNCB treatment on the dorsal skin of mice for 8 weeks. The mixture of ratio of each essential oil drop was 1 (eucalyptus) : 2 (lemon) : 2 (lavender) and this mixture was blended with jojoba oil 50ml (0.025%). The ELL-ointment was supplied for 8 weeks. We evaluated the effects of ELL on cell viability of mouse lung fibroblast, clinical skin features and severity, the level of serum Immunoglobulin (Ig) E & Ig G1, Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and Interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$. Results : ELL showed safety on the cell viability of mouse lung fibroblast compared with control group. The cell viability was measured by SRB method. The effects of ELL on clinical skin features and severity in DNCB-induced dermatitis model of NC/Nga mice was significant compared with control group. EEL also showed significant effects on clinical symptom score compared with control group. Serum IgE & IgG1 level and development of atopy dermatitis skin lesions were evaluated. Serum IgE & IgG1 production was significantly down-regulated in EEL group compared with control group. ELL also down-regulated the levels of IL-4 and IL-13, and up-regulated the level of IFN-$\gamma$ compared with control group significantly. Conclusion : ELL was effective on atopy dermatitis by modulating Th2 related factors.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.321-339
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• 1994

The cytokines released by osteoblasts induce bone resorption via the differentiation of osteoclast precursors. In this process, $interleukin-1{\beta}$($IL-1{\beta}$)-induced bone resorption is mediated by granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulation factor(GM-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$($TNF-{\alpha}$) released from osteoblasts. Since these cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$) are produced by not only osteoblasts but also monocytes, and interleukin-10(I1-10) inhibits the secretion of these cytokines from monocytes, it may be speculated that IL 10 could modulate the production of GM-CSF, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ by osteoblasts, then control $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ bone resorption. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to examine the effects of IL-10 on bone resorption. The sixten or seventeen-day pregnant ICR mice were injected with $^{45}Ca$ and sacrificed one day after injection. Then fetal mouse calvaria prelabeled with $^{45}Ca$ were dissected out. In order to confirm the degree of bone resorption, mouse calvaria were treated with Lipopolysaccharide(LPS), $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, IL-8, $IL-1{\beta}$, and $IL-1{\alpha}$, Then, IL-10 and $interferon-{\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$) were added to calvarial medium, in an attempt to evaluate the effect of $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ bone resorption. In addition, osteoclasts formation in bone marrow cell cultures, and the concentration of IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and GM-CSF produced from mouse calvarial cells were investigated in response to $IL-1{\beta}$ alone and simultaneously adding f $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-10. The degree of bone resorption was expressed as the ratio of $^{45}Ca$ release(the treated/the control). The osteoclasts in bone marrow cultures were indentified by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) stain and the concentration of the cytokines was quantified using enzyme linked immunosorbent method. As results of these studies, bone resorption was induced by LPS(1 ng/ml ; the ratio of $^{45}Ca$ release, $1.14{\pm}0.07$). Also $IL-1{\beta}$(1 ng/ml), $IL-1{\alpha}$(1 ng/ml), and $TNF-{\alpha}$(1 ng/ml) resulted in bone resorption(the rations of $^{45}Ca$ release, $1.61{\pm}0.26$, $1.77{\pm}0.03$, $1.20{\pm}0.15$ respectively), but IL-8 did not(the ratio of $^{45}Ca$ release, $0.93{\pm}0.21$). The ratios of $^{45}Ca$ release in response to IL-10(400 ng/ml) and $IFN-{\gamma}$(100 ng/ml) were $1.24{\pm}0.12$ and $1.08{\pm}0.04$ respectively, hence these cytokines inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$(1 ng/ml)-induced bone resorption(the ratio of $^{45}Ca$ release $1.65{\pm}0.24$). While $IL-1{\beta}$(1 ng/ml) increased the number of TRAP positive multinulcleated cells in bone marrow cultures($20{\pm}11$), simultaneously adding $IL-1{\beta}$(1 ng/ml) and IL-10(400 ng/ml) decreased the number of these cells($2{\pm}2$). Nevertheless, IL-10(400 ng/ml) did not affect the IL-6, GM-CSF, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion from $IL-1{\beta}$(1 ng/ml)-activated mouse calvarial cells. From the above results, it may be suggested that IL-10 inhibites $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ osteoclast differntiation and bone resorption. However, the inhibitory effect of IL-10 on the osteoclast formation seems to be mediated not by the reduction of IL-6, GM-CSF, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production, but by other mechanisms.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.109-114
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• 2010

The in vivo and in vitro effects of oriental herb extracts of Cassia obtusifolia, Taraxacum platycarpum and Ulmusmacrocarpa on anti-atopic allergic reaction were evaluated in this study. A mixture of these extracts exhibited more potent anti-allergic activities in human mast cells than those from individual extracts. The herbal mixture significantly inhibited the release of compound 48/80-induced $\beta$-hexosaminidase release in the human mast cell line, HMC-1. The mixture also suppressed the production of PMA and A23187-induced inflammatory cytokines in HMC-1 cells. To further investigate the in vivo effects of the herbal mixture, a Dermatophagoides farinae (DF)-induced atopic dermatitis mouse model was utilized. Oral administration of the herbal mixture significantly decreased the ear thickness and swelling in DF treated NC/Nga mice in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, serum levels of IgE and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were significantly decreased, whereas interferon-gamma (IFN-$\gamma$) levels were increased in the mixture administrated groups when compared to the control. Taken together, our data indicate the possibility of using a mixture of the oriental herb extract to relieve symptoms of atopic dermatitis.