• 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 Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1341-1348
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• 2009

Hoechunyanggyeok-san (HYS) is a traditional oriental herbal medicine widely used for treating inflammatory disorders. Although there are numerous clinical results of HYS reported in the literature of oriental hebal medicine, it has been rarely conducted to evaluate the immuno-biological activity. The present study was conducted to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of HYS extract (HYSE) in vivo and in vitro. To determine the cytotoxic concentration of HYSE, cell viability was tested by MTT assay. All four doses of HYSE (0.01, 0.03, 0.10 and 0.30 mg/ml) had no significant cytotoxicity during the entire experimental period. In order to measure NO levels in culture medium, the cells were treated with $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS 1h before adding HYSE for 24 h and then culture medium were reacted with Griess reagent. Increased NO production and iNOS expression were detected in LPS-activated cells compared to control. However, these increases were dose-dependently attenuated by treatment with HYSE. LPS plays a key role in leading to the massive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in macrophages. Thus, we next determined the levels of these cytokines. HYSE reduced the elevated production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS. Moreover, the effects of HYSE were in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, histopathological study, HYSE effectively inheefed the increases of hind paw skin thicknesses and inflammatory cell infiltrations induced by carrageenan treatment. It, therefore, considered that HYSE will be favorably inheefed the acute edematous inanner. In s. These findings showed that HYSE could have anti-inflammatory effects through the reduction of NO and inflammatory cytokines in macrophage. Furthermore, the reduction of carrageenan-induced paw oedema by HYSE helps to understand its actions on inflammatory conditions.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.155-165
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• 2012

Objective : The object of this study is to confirm the immune enhancement effect of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RC) (30% EtOH extract) on RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cell line. Methods : RAW264.7 cells were treated with $10-500{\mu}g/mL$ RC for 24 hours. Cell viability was then measured using WST assays. Levels of intracellular NO and ROS were measured by Griess reagent and DCFH-DA staining respectively. Levels of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Secretion levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 cytokines were evaluated by sandwich ELISA assay. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the levels of intracellular molecules related to MAPKs pathways. Results : RC suppressed the growth of RAW264.7 cells. RC increased the production of NO and ROS. RC increased the mRNA and protein levels of COX-2 and iNOS. RC augmented the levels of secreted IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 cytokines. RC increased MAPKs phosphorylation. Conclusion : In summary, our result shows that RC has inflammatory effect increasing the levels of NO, ROS and secreted cytokines and activating MAPKs. Hence, RC seems to have an immune enhancement effect.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2009

Herba Artemisiae Capillaris is the dried bud of Artemisia capillaris Thunb, which has been used for expelling heat to loosen the bowels and normalizing gallbladder function to cure jaundice in traditional oriental medicines. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extracts of Herba Artemisiae Capillaris (HAC) in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Cells were treated with $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS 1 h before adding HAC extract. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, and the relative level of NO was measured with Griess reagent. TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 cytokines were detected by ELISA. During the entire experimental period, all three doses of HAC extract (0.03, 0.10 and 0.30 mg/ml) had no significant cytotoxicity. LPS-activated cells showed increased NO levels and iNOS expressions compared to control. However, these increases were dramatically attenuated by treatment with HAC extract. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of HAC extract occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, HAC extract reduced the translocation of $NF{\kappa}B$ into nuclear. HAC reduced production of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS, although it had no effects on TNF-$\alpha$. These results demonstrate that liquiritigenin exerts anti-inflammatory effects, which results from the inhibition of $NF{\kappa}B$ activation in macrophages, thereby decreasing production of iNOS and proinflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these results indicate that the aqueous extracts of Herba Artemisiae Capillaris warrant further development as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1377-1383
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• 2015

Scopoletin is a component of several plant such as Erycibe obtusifolia, Aster tataricus, Foeniculum vulgare and Brunfelsia grandiflora. It was reported to have anti-angiogenesis and anti-allergy effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of scopoletin was investigated in Raw264.7 cells, mouse macrophages. The effects of scopoletin on phagocytosis and nitric oxide (NO) production were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. It was observed that scopoletin exerted inhibitory effects on both phagocytosis and NO production. In addition, scopoletin decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which were related to NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. In particular, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 were remarkably decreased by treatment with scopoletin. Furthermore, the content of TNFα produced by macrophage was decreased in the presence of scopoletin at 8 hr. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of scopoletin could exert by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Raw264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. The above results suggest scopoletin could be a new remedial agent for anti-inflammation through inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α expressions as well as supression of phagocytosis and NO production.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.311-318
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• 2003

Eurya emarginata (Thunb.) Makino (Theaceae) is distributed in coastal areas of island. The leaves of Eurya are used in the traditional medicine of the coastal areas of jeju island with the aim of diuresis or to treat ulcers. Nevertheless, there are few reports on the biological activity and constituents of E. emarginata. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological activity of the solvent extracts of E. emarginata on the several inflammatory markers (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, NO, iNOS and COX-2). Also we examined the antioxidizing effect of the solvent extracts by determination of DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Among the solvent fractions, EtOAc and BuOH extracts showed potent radical scavenging activity (RC$_{50}$=10.9 and 12.7 respectively). The subtractions of EF 5-4-6-3-2 and BF 1 potentially inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mι. Also the fractions inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mι. And then, the inhibition of iNOS was correlated with the decrease of nitrite level. These results suggest that E. emarginata may have anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, iNOS and COX-2.2.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.114-120
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• 2014

Zizyphus jujube leaf fractions (ZLFs) showed no cytotoxic effects of up to $100{\mu}g/mL$, while the anti-inflammatory effects of ZLFs were analyzed by checking the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophage up to the concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. ZLFs ($100{\mu}g/mL$) demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory activity that reduced 61~85% of NO and 71~100% of $PGE_2$ production in the LPS-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophage. Even the low ZLFs concentration of $1{\mu}g/mL$ have reduced NO and $PGE_2$ production by 34~64%. Expressions of COX-2 protein were also effectively inhibited by the ZLFs. Furthermore, the TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 production were significantly suppressed through the treatment of ZLFs at concentrations of 1, 10, and $100{\mu}g/mL$. In the order of the Zizyphus jujube leaf water fraction (ZLWF) < buthanol fraction (ZLBF) < ethyl acetate fraction (ZLEF) showed anti-inflammatory activity. In particular, the ethyl acetate fraction ZLEF at $100{\mu}g/mL$ showed an excellent anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the production of NO, $PGE_2$, COX-2, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) in the level of Raw264.7 macrophage without LPS-stimulation or even better. The results of our study suggest the potential of ZLEF for use as an excellent ant-inflammatory inhibiting mediator and may be used as a therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.101-114
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Hwagae-san extract(HGSE) on the peritoneal macrophage. Methods : To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of HGSE, We measured cytokines(interleukin-6; IL-6, interleukin-12; IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$; TNF-${\alpha}$) and nitric oxide(NO) production in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced macrophages. Furthermore, We examined molecular mechanism using western blot and also LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Results : 1. HGSE did not have any cytotoxic effect in the peritoneal macrophages. 2. HGSE reduced LPS-induced IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-12 and NO production in peritoneal macrophages. 3. HGSE inhibited the activation of extracelluar signal-regulated kinase(ERK), C-Jun NH2-terminal kinase(JNK) but not of p38, degradation of IkB-${\alpha}$ in the LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. 4. HGSE inhibited the production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-12 in serum after LPS injection. Conclusion : These results suggest that HGSE may inhibit the production of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-12 through inhibition of ERK and JNK activation, and that HGSE may be beneficial for inflammatory diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.152-165
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• 2008

Purpose: It is the purpose of this study to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of cheukbaekjurpihwan(CBJPH) extract on LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced inflammatory mediators in murine peritoneal macrophages. Methods: To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of CBJPH extract, the production of cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$(tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL(interleukin)-6, IL-12) and NO(nitric oxide) was measured in vitro and in vivo. And western blot analysis has been done to look into the mechanism. Results: CBJPH extract reduced LPS-induced NO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, IL-12 productions in peritoneal macrophages. CBJPH extract inhibited the activation of JNK(c-Jun N-terminal kinase), but didn't inhibit the activation of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) such as p38, ERK1/2(extracelluar signal-regulated kinase1/2) and the degradation of $I_{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$(inhibitory kappa B-alpha) in the LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. CBJPH extract suppressed LPS-induced endotoxin shock and the productions of TNF-${\alpha}$, but not of IL-6, after an oral administration of CBJPH extract Conclusion: CBJPH extract suppressed the productions of LPS-induced NO and cytokines by preventing JNK from phosphorylation, which may provide a clinical basis for anti-inflammatory properties of CBJPH.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.245-255
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• 2019

Objective : Herbal processing is one of the traditional techniques used in Korean medicine to increase the effectiveness of herbs or reduce their toxicity. In this study, Gardeniae Fructus processed with ginger juice and alcohol was prepared to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. Methods : The processing of Gardeniae Fructus was performed by adding 40 % ginger juice or 10% alcohol to the total weight of Gardeniae Fructus and then roasting at 150℃ for 5 minutes. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. To detect nitric oxide (NO) production, culture media were mixed with Griess reagent and measured the absorbance at 540 nm. Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was applied to monitor protein expression levels. Results : LPS-induced NO, PGE₂ and inflammatory cytokines were decreased by the treatment of normal or processed Gardeniae Fructus ethanol extracts (GFE). Compared to normal GFE, the processed GFE showed a stronger inhibitory effect on the production of NO and PGE₂. These inhibitory effect of GFE was due to the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mediated from the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Furthermore, processed GFE showed more suppressive effects on the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and IκBα proteins than normal GFE. Conclusion : From these results, it was concluded that GFE had an improved anti-inflammatory effect compared to normal GFE. These results provide an objective evidences for the use of herbal processing in Korean medicine.