• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2004

I report that single-stranded antisense as a part of large circular (LC-) genomic DNA of recombinant M13 phage exhibits enhanced stability, sequence specific antisense activity, and no need for target site search. A cDNA fragment (708 bp) of rat TNF-$\alpha$ was inserted into a phagemid vector, and TNF-$\alpha$ antisense molecules (TNF$\alpha$-LCAS) were produced as single-stranded circular DNA. When introduced into a rat monocyte/macrophage cell line, WRT7/P2, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was able to ablate LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA to completion. The antisense effect of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was shown to be sequence-specific because expressions of three control genes ($\beta$-actin, GAPDH and IL-1$\beta$) were not significantly altered by the antisense treatment. Further, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was found to be highly efficacious as only 0.1 $\mu$g (0.24 nM) of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was sufficient to block TNF-$\alpha$ expression in 1$\times10^5$ WRT7/P2 cells. I have also observed specific antisense activity in reduction of NF-$\kappa$B gene expression. The results suggest that an antisense sequence as a part of single-stranded circular genomic DNA has a specific antisense activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the synthetic CopA3 peptide of Copris tripartitus on skin inflammation. Regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the immunological activity of RAW 264.7 cells. Tested cells were treated with different concentrations of CopA3 and further cultured for an appropriate time after lipopolyssacharide (LPS) addition. During the entire experimental period, 5, 25, 50, and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ of CopA3 had no cytotoxicity. At these concentrations, CopA3 inhibited tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). CopA3 also inhibited the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). CopA3 inhibited the activity of iNOS and COX-2 by 41% and 59%, respectively, at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. In addition, CopA3 reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. These results suggest that CopA3 may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and that it may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.99-111
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• 2009

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by focal loss of cartilage due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1(IL-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha($TNF-\alpha$), prostaglantin, and nitric oxide(NO). We investigated the anti-arthritic effects of water extracts from Pellodendri cortex and Atractylodis rhizoma in vitro and in vivo. Each extract suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators(NO, $IL-1\beta$, $TNF-\alpha$, and prostaglandin $E_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. The same results were also observed in the rat osteoblast sarcoma cell line ROS17/2.8 stimulated with $IL-1\beta$, $IFN-\gamma,$ and $TNF-\alpha$. Moreover, the combination of these water extracts significantly suppressed collagen-induced mouse arthritis. These results suggest that the combination of water-extractable components of Pellodendri cortex and Atractylodis rhizoma may be useful for therapeutic drugs against rheumatoid arthritis, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2009

Rhubarb is the well-known and frequently used herbal medicine for the treatment of constipation, inflammation, and cancer. As described in the Korea and Chinese Pharmacopoeia, rhubarb consists of the roots and rhizomes of Rheum palmatum, R. officinale, and R. tanguticum. However, the pharmacological differences among rhubarb have not been scientifically established. In the present study, we investigated and compared the inhibitory effects of 70% ethanolic extracts from R. palmatum (RPE), R. officinale (ROE), R. nobile (RNE), and R. franzenbachii (RFE) on the production of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), interlukin-1beta ($IL-1{\beta}$), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. ROE, RNE, and RFE significantly inhibited the release of NO, $PGE_2$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$. RPE significantly reduced the release of $IL-1{\beta}$, but not NO, $PGE_2$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Overall, RFE was found to inhibit the release of $PGE_2$ and $IL-1{\beta}$, to a far greater degree than RPE, ROE, and RNE. Our results indicate that RFE possess the strongest anti-inflammatory activity among 4 tested rhubarb.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.97-111
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• 2005

This study was performed to evaluate anti-thrombotic activities and anti-inflammatory effects of ChungyeolHaedogHwaeoTang water extract(CHHT). The results were summarized as follows. In experiment of anti-thrombotic effect; 1. CHHT inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by ADP and epinephrine as compared with the control group, and inhibited pulmonary embolism induced by collagen and epinephrine (inhibitory rate is 37.5%). 2. CHHT increased platelet number significantly, and also CHHT shortened PT and APTT significantly as compared with the control group in thrombus model induced by dextran. In experiment of anti-inflammatory effect; 3. CHHT inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 and NOS-II mRNA expression as compared with the control group in a concentration-dependent degree, and inhibited NO production significantly at 50, 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, and also inhibited ROS production in a concentration-dependent degree as compared with the control of group in RAW 264.7 cell line. 4. CHHT inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production significantly in serum of acute inflammation-induced mice, and decreased $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in spleen tissue, and also decreased $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 production in liver tissue, but increased TNF-${\alpha}$ production in liver tissue of acute inflammation-induced Balb/c mice. 5. CHHT increased survival rate from the 3rd day in ICR mice with lethal endotoxemia induced by LPS. These results suggest that CHHT can be useful in treating diverse female diseases caused by thrombosis and inflammation such as menstrual pain, menstrual disorder, leukorrhea, vaginitis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease and so on.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.60-67
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• 2002

Paeonia japonica var. pilosa $N_{AKAI}$, (PJ; Baek-Jak-Yak) is a medicinal plant which has been widely used as a component or blood-building decoctions. This study was performed to investigate the immunomodulative effects of PJ in mice, using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The immunomodulative effects were studied in vitro by determining the proliferation or mice splenocytes and the production of three kinds of cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$) by mire peritoneal macrophages which were cultured with sequential fractions of PJ methanol extract (methanol, hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol and water). In an in vivo experiment using mice, different concentrations of PJ water extract were orally administrated every other day for two weeks. The production of cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$) secreted by activated macrophages, and the proliferation of mice splenocytes, were used as indices for immunocompetence. In vitro supplementation using a hexane fraction of PJ in the range of 1 to 100 $\mu$ g/ml enhanced splenocyte proliferation by 1.8 to 12%, and by 10-15% using an aqueous fraction, compared to the control. IL-l$\beta$ production was significantly increased with the supplementation of butanol, hexane and water extracts of PJ Higher levels of IL-6 production were detected with supplementation of chloroform or water extracts. However, there were no significant differences in the production of TNF-$\alpha$ among the treated groups and the control. From the in vivo study, the highest proliferation of splenocytes was seen in the mice orally administrated with the PJ water extract at the concentration of 500 mg/kg body weight. In the case of cytosine production, IL-1-$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ released by activated peritoneal macrophages were augmented by the oral administration of a PJ water extract. These results indicate that Pl may enhance the immune function by regulating splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production capacity in mice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.117-126
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was an analysis of the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and skin whitening properties of Gamioncheong-decoctione(GMOCD) extract. Methods : GMOCD(96 g) and 2 L of distilled water were heated at $100^{\circ}C$ for four hours and then concentrated, frozen, freeze-dried, dissolved in distilled water and filtered. The following analysis was completed: cell cytotoxic effect using MTT assay, oxidative products of NO by griess assay, concentration of prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ by commercially competitive enzyme immunoassay, and cytokines($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$) by Bio-Plex$^{(R)}$ Suspension Array System's Bio-Plex Pro$^{TM}$ mouse cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor assay. Anti-oxidative effect was measured using the DPPH method and skin whitening effect using tyrosinase inhibition assay. Results : GMOCD water-extract did not show any toxicity at all doses and cell viability was more than 90 % at all doses. GMOCD water-extract significantly inhibited NO production at doses of 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/ml$, significantly inhibited $PGE_2$ production at doses of 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$ and reduced the LPS-induced IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in a dose-dependent manner. $IL-1{\beta}$ production was significantly reduced at a dose of $400{\mu}g/ml$ and IL-6 production was significantly reduced at doses of 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$. DPPH free radical scavenging capability had a skin whitening effect rate of more than 50%. Tyrosinase inhibition activity was apparent in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : This study suggests that GMOCD water-extract suppressed NO and $PGE_2$ production and inhibited cytokines($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$). GMOCD also improved DPPH free radical scavenging capability. GMOCD water-extract increased tyrosinase inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner but this was not a statistically significant result.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.39-54
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the water extract of Omisodokeum (OMSDE) on peritoneal macrophages, Methods: To verify the anti-inflammatory mechanism of OMSDE, the activation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ and the phosphorylation of MAPK were examined. Results: The extract of OMSDE suppressed the production of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-12 in the macrophages. OMSDE inhibited the degradation of inhibitory ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ $(I{\kappa}B-{\alpha})$ and it suppressed the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) but didn't inhibit c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, indicating that OMSDE may inhibit the pro-inflammatory cytokine production process by inhibiting the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and ERK 1/2. Furthermore, OMSDE inhibited the production of interferon $(IFN)-{\beta}$ but didn't inhibit of $IFN-{\alpha}$ in the LPS-stimulated macrophages through the down-regulation of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and IRF-7. The Oral administration of OMSDE inhibited LPS-induced endotoxin shock and the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in serum but didn't inhibit of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6. Conclusion: These results suggest that OMSDE may be effective in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammation effect of extract of Carthamus tinctorious seed, on skin obtained from Gyeong buk, Korea. Regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) involved in immunological activity of Raw 264.7 cells. Tested cells were pretreated with 70% ethanol extracted of Carthamus tinctorious seed and further cultured for an appropriated time after the addition of lipopolyssacharide (LPS). During the entire experimental period, 5, 10, 25 and 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Carthamus tinctorious seed showed no cytotoxicity. In these concentrations, ethyl acetate layer of ethanol extracted Carthamus tinctorius seed (CT-E/E) inhibited the production of NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necorsis factor-a (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). At a 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ level of CT-E/E, $PGE_2$, iNOS and COX-2 inhibition activity were shown 60%, 38%, and 42%, respectively. In addition, CT-E/E reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6. These results suggest that Carthamus tinctorious seed extracts may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent due to the significant effects on inflammatory factors.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2002

Aster scaber $T_{HUNB}$ (AST ; Charm-chui), a potent herbal medicinal plant, has a long tradition of use, being harvested as a wild plant, is said to stimulate appetite, and may act as a diuretic, antifebrile agent and painkiller. This study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulative effects of AST In mice, using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The immunomodulative effects were studied in vitro by measuring the proliferation of mice splenocytes and the production of three kinds of cytokines (IL-$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$) by mice peritoneal macrophages which were cultured with sequential fractions of AST methanol extract (methanol, hexane, chlo-roform, ethylacetate, butanol and water). In an in vivo experiment using mice, different concentrations of AST water extract were orally administrated every other day for two weeks. The production of cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$) secreted by activated macrophages, and the proliferation of mice splenocytes, were used as indices for immunocompetence. In vitro supplementation using six fractions of AST in the range of 1 to 100$\mu$ g/ml enhanced splenocyte proliferation by 10.5% to 53% compared to the control. IL-1$\beta$production was significantly increased with the supplementation of butanol and water extracts of AST. Higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$production were detected with supplementation of methanol, ethylacetate, butanol or water extracts at the concentration of 100$\mu$ g/ml. In the in vivo study, the highest proliferation of splenocytes was seen in the mice orally administrated with the AST water extract at the concentration of 500mg/kg body weight. In the case of cytokine production, there were no significant differences in the production of IL-1$\beta$and IL-6 among the treated groups and the control. However, TNF-$\alpha$released by activated peritoneal macrophages were augmented by the oral administration of AST water extract. These results indicate that AST may enhance the immune functions by regulating splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production capacity in mice.