• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.120-124
• /
• 2022

Actinidia polygama has long been used in traditional Korean medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Although numerous chemical compounds in the fruit extracts of A. polygama have been characterized and their role in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production has been reported, the anti-inflammatory properties of A. polygama extracts remain to be explored. In this study, we investigated the in-vivo effect of A. polygama extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in BV-2 microglial cell lines. We discovered that 100% ethyl alcohol extract of A. polygama effectively attenuates the release of NO and is superior to both water extract and 50% ethanol extract. Using MTT assay, western blot, and ELISA on LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells lines, we established the ability of A. polygama extract to markedly suppress the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6. These results reveal that the anti-inflammatory property of A. polygama in BV-2 microglial cells is due to the downregulation of iNOS, COX-2, MAPK protein, and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.97-101
• /
• 2011

Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense is known to have a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity and antipyretic activity. In this study we investigated the role of polyacetylene compound, 1-Heptadecene-11, 13-diyne-8, 9, 10-triol (PA) from the root of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense as an immune-modulator. PA was evaluated as inhibitors of some macrophage functions involved in the inflammatory process. We tested the effect of PA on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), and nitric oxide (NO) in murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. There was no effect on cytokine production of macrophages by PA itself. However, PA inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-$\alpha$ production by macrophages at a dose dependent manner. PA also suppressed the NO production of macrophages by LPS. LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity was decreased by treatment of PA. Therefore, these results suggest that PA has anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.205-212
• /
• 2009

Trichomonas vaginalis commonly causes vaginitis and perhaps cervicitis in women and urethritis in men and women. Macrophages are important immune cells in response to T. vaginalis infection. In this study, we investigated whether human macrophages could be involved in inflammation induced by T. vaginalis. Human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) were co-cultured with T. vaginalis. Live, opsonized-live trichomonads, and T. vaginalis Iysates increased proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 by HMDM. The involvement of nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in cytokine production induced by T. vaginalis was confirmed by phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 NF-${\kappa}B$. In addition, stimulation with live T. vaginalis induced marked augmentation of nitric oxide (NO) production and expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) levels in HMDM. However, trichomonad-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in macrophages were significantly inhibited by inhibition of iNOS levels with L-NMMA (NO synthase inhibitor). Moreover, pretreatment with NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitors (PDTC or Bay11-7082) caused human macrophages to produce less TNF-${\alpha}$. These results suggest that T. vaginalis stimulates human macrophages to produce proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$, and NO. In particular, we showed that T. vaginalis induced TNF-${\alpha}$ production in macrophages through NO-dependent activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, which might be closely involved in inflammation caused by T. vaginalis.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2021.04a
• /
• pp.55-55
• /
• 2021

Hibiscus hamabo is a deciduous shrub that grows around salt marshes and is considered a semi-mangrove plant found in Asia. There are no studies on the biological activity of H. hamabo except for studies on the anthocyanin content. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of H. hamabo extract (HHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. As nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) induced by LPS moves into the nucleus, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inflammatory cytokines are promoted and the inflammatory reaction begins. The nitric oxide (NO) production decreased by the treatment of HHE. Moreover, mRNA levels of inflammation-related cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, were significantly suppressed by HHE. Similarly, the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 were also decreased. The phosphorylation of p65, a subunit of NF-κB, was suppressed by HHE. As a result, HHE can be used as an effective natural material for the anti-inflammatory agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.388-394
• /
• 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule that plays a crucial role in numerous cellular physiological processes. In the skin, NO is produced by keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells and is involved in skin functions such as vasodilation, pigmentation, hair growth, wound healing, and immune responses. NO modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses. As a signaling molecule and cytotoxic effector, NO influences the function of immune cells and production of cytokines. NO is a key mediator that protects against or contributes to skin inflammation. Moreover, NO has been implicated in skin sensitization, a process underlying contact dermatitis. It modulates the function of dendritic cells and T cells, thereby affecting the immune response to allergens. NO also plays a role in contact dermatitis by inducing inflammation and tissue damage. NO-related chemicals, such as nitrofatty acids and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, have potential therapeutic applications in skin conditions, including allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). Further research is required to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of NO-related chemicals and develop personalized treatment strategies for skin conditions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.357-364
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is closely related with inflammation and development of many diseases. Black soybean seed coat contains high amount of anthocyanins, which are well-known for free radical scavenging activities. This study investigated inflammatory response and action mechanism of black soybean anthocyanins with regard to antioxidant activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells were treated with anthocyanins extracted from black soybean seed coats in a concentration range of 12.5 to $100{\mu}g/mL$. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and the signaling in the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway were examined. RESULTS: Black soybean anthocyanins significantly decreased LPS-stimulated production of ROS, inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6, in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity (P < 0.001). Black soybean anthocyanins downregulated the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.001). Moreover, black soybean anthocyanins inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that black soybean anthocyanins exert anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting ROS generation and subsequent MAPKs signaling, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.464-469
• /
• 2007

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities of Artemisia fukudo extracts. The 80% ethanol extract of A. fukudo was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and butanol. In order to effectively screen for anti-inflammatory agents, we first examined the extracts’ inhibitory effects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines activated with lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, we examined the inhibitory effects of the A. fukudo extracts on pro-inflammatory factors (NO, iNOS, COX-2, and $PGE_{2}$) in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The protein levels were determined by immunoblotting. Of the sequential solvent fractions, the n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6), production of NO and $PGE_{2}$, and the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2. These results suggest that A. fukudo may have signifIcant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic plant.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Inflammation is important event in the development of vascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Bodusan (BDS) was a traditional Korean herbal medicine and widely used in treatment of gastrointestinal complaint and stomach ulcer. The aim of this study was to determine whether BDS and its components inhibit production of nitrite, PGE2 and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of BDS and its components on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3caroboxymcrophages. eth-oxyphenyj)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were detected by western blot. Results : Our results indicated that BDS and its components significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production. Moreover. BDS and its components inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-11${\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 formation in macrophages. Conclusions: These results indicate that BDS and its components have potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.295-301
• /
• 2018

Nucleotide-binding domain 1 (Nod1) is a cytosolic receptor that is responsible for the recognition of a bacterial peptidoglycan motif containing meso-diaminophimelic acid. In this study, we sought to identify the role of Nod1 in host defense in vivo against pulmonary infection by multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Wildtype (WT) and Nod1-deficient mice were intranasally infected with $3{\times}10^7CFU$ of A. baumannii and sacrificed at 1 and 3 days post-infection (dpi). Bacterial CFUs, cytokines production, histopathology, and mouse ${\beta}$-defensins (mBD) in the lungs of infected mice were evaluated. The production of cytokines in response to A. baumannii was also measured in WT and Nod1-deficient macrophages. The bacterial clearance in the lungs was not affected by Nod1 deficiency. Levels of IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$ in the lung homogenates were comparable at days 1 and 3 between WT and Nod1-deficient mice, except the $TNF-{\alpha}$ level at day 3, which was higher in Nod1-deficient mice. There was no significant difference in lung pathology and expression of mBDs (mBD1, 2, 3, and 4) between WT and Nod1-deficient mice infected with A. baumannii. The production of IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and NO by macrophages in response to A. baumannii was also comparable in WT and Nod1-deficient mice. Our results indicated that Nod1 does not play an important role in host immune responses against A. baumannii infection.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.53-62
• /
• 2021

Background and objective: Dermatitis is a chronic disease accompanied by such symptoms as itching and dry skin. The environment and diet can aggravate dermatitis, so attention to skin care is essential. Colocasia esculenta is used in various manners and for different purposes, including with regard to inflammation, aging, and the digestive system. The anti-inflammatory effect of Colocasia esculenta water extract was confirmed using RAW 264.7 macrophages with regard to male ICR mice. Methods: In the case of the ICR mice, 5% 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was used to cause inflammation for 7 days, and 100 μL of Colocasia esculenta water extract and panthenol were administered orally for 10 days. In addition, RT-PCR, NO, ELISA was conducted. Results: As a result of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), it was found that Colocasia esculenta water extract reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines. As a result of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining using mouse ear tissue, Colocasia esculenta water extract reduced ear thickness and showed an effect of suppressing ear edema. In addition, compared to the TPA-treated group, the Colocasia esculenta extract-treated group had reduced nitric oxide (NO) production by 18.23 μM and IL-13 production decreased by 136.55 pg/ml. Conclusion: Colocasia esculenta water extract has been shown to be effective in lowering inflammatory cytokine production. These results suggest that Colocasia esculenta water extracts can be used as natural products to treat dermatitis.