• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.179-192
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• 2008

Objectives : Draconis Resina (DR) has been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine since ancient times, and today it is used as a medication for wounds, tumors, diarrhea, rheumatism, in the itching of insect bites and with other conditions in the folk medicine. The aim of this study was to determine whether fractionated extracts of DR inhibit free radical generation, intracellular oxidation, production of nitrite, an index of NO, PGE2, iNOS, COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, Methods : DR extract prepared with methanol, and then fractionated with hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water. Inhibitory effect of DR onto free radical generation was determined by measuring DPPH, superoxide anions and nitric oxide scavenging activities in vitro. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. Intracelluar oxidation was analysed by DCF-DA assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 expression were confirmed by western blot. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. Results : Our results indicated that fractionated extracts, especially dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts, significantly inhibited free radical generation, the LPS-induced H202, NO, PGE2 production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 formation in macrophages. Conclusions : Our results indicate that dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of DR have potential as an agent of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2021

Scutellaria baicalensis has been used as a traditional medicine for diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, hemorrhaging, insomnia, inflammation, and respiratory infections. This study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (SWE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of SWE, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with LPS to induce the production of inflammation-related factors, which were measured by western blotting. In RAW 264.7 cells, SWE inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) without causing cell toxicity. SWE also reduced the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein, as well as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor-α). The phosphorylation levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family members, such as JNK and p38, were also reduced by SWE. Thus, SWE could be used as a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2014

The effect of cordycepin purified from Cordyceps militaris on macrophage activation was investigated in peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57BL6 mice. Lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse peritoneal cells showed that cordycepin treatment increased the expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), leading to early inflammation-mediated reactions, the activation of immunological responses, and T lymphocyte activation. T lymphocytes, activated by a greater production of IL-6, resulted in antibody-generating immune reactions, suggesting that cordycepin was effective at inducing immunological responses. Consistent with the increase in the inflammation-mediating factors including nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), the toxic response of macrophages was activated and effectively induced inflammation. These findings demonstrate that cordycepin is involved in reducing cell injury provoked by inflammatory reactions. Therefore, these results suggest that cordycepin treatment of mouse peritoneal cells induces inflammation-mediated immunological responses and immunostimulation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2017

A sesquiterpene was purified from Artemisia iwayomogi methanolic extract during the course of searching anti-inflammatory principle from medicinal plants. A sesquiterpene identified as armefolin inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein level in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Armefolin also down-regulated mRNA expressions of iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and interleukin-6 in LPS-activated macrophages. Moreover, armefolin suppressed the degradation of inhibitory-${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ (I-${\kappa}B{\alpha}$) in LPS-activated macrophages. These data suggest that armefolin from A. iwayomogi can suppress the LPS-induced production of NO and the expression of iNOS gene through inhibiting the degradation of I-${\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Taken together, armefolin from A. iwayomogi might be a candidate as promising anti-inflammatory agent.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.14
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• 2023

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of high-plasticity mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA-HP) on the activity of M1 and M2 macrophages, compared to white MTA (Angelus). Materials and Methods: Peritoneal inflammatory M1 (from C57BL/6 mice) and M2 (from BALB/c mice) macrophages were cultured in the presence of the tested materials. Cell viability (MTT and trypan blue assays), adhesion, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β production were evaluated. Parametric analysis of variance and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Results were considered significant when p < 0.05. Results: The MTT assay revealed a significant decrease in M1 metabolism with MTA-HP at 24 hours, and with MTA and MTA-HP later. The trypan blue assay showed significantly fewer live M1 at 48 hours and live M2 at 48 and 72 hours with MTA-HP, compared to MTA. M1 and M2 adherence and phagocytosis showed no significant differences compared to control for both materials. Zymosan A stimulated ROS production by macrophages. In the absence of interferon-γ, TNF-α production by M1 did not significantly differ between groups. For M2, both materials showed higher TNF-α production in the presence of the stimulus, but without significant between-group differences. Likewise, TGF-β production by M1 and M2 macrophages was not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: M1 and M2 macrophages presented different viability in response to MTA and MTA-HP at different time points. Introducing a plasticizer into the MTA vehicle did not interfere with the activity of M1 and M2 macrophages.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.449-456
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• 2014

Anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts of ginseng berry (GBE) was investigated through the evaluation of its inhibitory effect on the production of inflammatory meditator, nitric oxide(NO), tumor necrocis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells. GBE was fractionated using n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, buthanol and $H_2O$, sequentially. RAW264.7 cells were induced $100ng/m{\ell}$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with 0, 1.6, 8, 40 and $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GBE fractions. LPS-induced NO production on all of GBE fractions was inhibited with increasing added concentration of GBE fractions. Chloroform fraction of GBE was the most effective in inhibiting LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ production. Hexane, chloroform and $H_2O$ fractions of GBE exhibit strong inhibition LPS-induced IL-6 production. Especially, $H_2O$ fractions of GBE was the most effective in inhibiting LPD-induced IL-6 production without significant cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 cells, and reduced the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and IkB phosphorylation. These results indicate that $H_2O$ fractions of GBE exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects by inhibition of NF-kB by inhibition of p-38 on MAPK and IkB phosphorylation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.304-310
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• 2019

The stems of Oplopanax elatus (OE) have long been used to treat inflammatory disorders in herbal medicine, and in the previous investigation, OE was found to possess anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages, RAW 264.7 cell. OE reduces inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase-induced NO production, and interferes with mitogen-activated protein kinase activation pathways. In the present study, the pharmacological action of the water extract of OE was examined to establish anti-arthritic action, using a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). The water extract of OE administered orally inhibited AIA-induced arthritis at (100 - 300) mg/kg/day. The paw edema was significantly decreased, in combination with reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The action mechanism includes an inhibition of MAPKs/nuclear transcription factor-κB activation. These new findings strongly suggest that OE possesses anti-arthritic action, and may be used as a therapeutic agent in inflammation-related disorders, particularly in arthritic condition.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

Purpose: Natural medicinal plant extracts have recently attracted attention as health beneficial foods and potential therapeutic agents for prevention of various diseases. This study was undertaken to measure the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol-water fraction obtained from the above-ground portion of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora, a wild-growing plant in Korea. The final fraction used in this study was the H₂O-EtOH (40:60) fraction (SP60), which had the highest antioxidant activity, as determined in previous studies. Methods: The amounts of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β production were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells exposed to SP60. Western blot was performed to measure the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Results: SP60 exerted no cytotoxicity up to concentrations of 125 ㎍/mL. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, were significantly decreased in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells exposed to SP60. In addition, the expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, and phosphorylated p65 showed a concentration-dependent decrease subsequent to SP60 treatment. These results indicate that SP60 inhibits the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2, by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, which is responsible for the expression of inflammatory mediators. Conclusion: The results presented in this study indicate that the H₂O-EtOH (40:60) fraction (SP60) extracted from the above-ground portion of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora has the potential to be developed as a medicine or healthcare food and functional material possessing anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is necessary to first confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of SP60 in in vivo models.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.574-581
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• 2015

This study describes a preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Acrosorium yendoi Yamada extracts. A. yendoi Yamada was extracted using 80% ethanol and then fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol. To screen for anti-inflammatory agents effectively, we first examined the inhibitory effect of 80% EtOH extract and solvent fractions of A. yendoi Yamada on the production of pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. In addition, we examined the inhibitory effect of 80% EtOH extract and solvent fractions of A. yendoi Yamada on pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, iNOS, PGE₂, and COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells. In the sequential fractions of n-hexane and EtOAc inhibited the NO and PGE₂ production and the protein level of iNOS and COX-2, and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-6). These results suggest that A. yendoi Yamada may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and may be provided as possible anti-inflammatory therapeutic seaweed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.559-566
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• 2017

This aim of this study was to examine the immunomodulatory activities of crude polysaccharides from Perilla frutescens Britton var. acuta Kudo (PCP) in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) and splenocytes. The immunomodulatory activity was determined by cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, cell surface marker expression (CD 80/86 and MHC class I/II), and cytokine production in BMDC, and cell viability, and cytokine production in splenocytes. Cell proliferation and cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor; TNF-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12) tested in BMDC were significantly increased by PCP treatment. Additionally, the cell surface markers (CD 80/86, MHC class I/II) were highly increased by PCP treatment. For cytokine production in splenocytes, PCP treatment significantly increased the production of Th 1 cytokines [IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$], but not Th 2 cytokines (IL-4). Therefore, PCP can induce immune cell activation and is a potential candidate for the development of nutraceuticals to boost the immune system.