• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.143-149
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to elucidate the anti-inflammatory activity of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) ethanolic extract fractions (CFEFs). Butanol fraction had the strongest antioxidant activity, and all CFEFs, except for chloroform fraction, partly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite production in RAW 264.7 cells. In the cell-free system, hexane and butanol fractions chemically quenched nitric oxide (NO). In addition, the iNOS mRNA transcription was suppressed by ethanol extract and hexane fraction in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, the inhibitory effect of CFEFs on NO production from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, might be due to both the chemical NO quenching activity and the suppression of iNOS mRNA transcription partially. The synthesis of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was potently inhibited by ethanol extract to below basal label, and the transcription of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme involving in $PGE_2$ synthesis, was partially suppressed by ethanol extract and hexane fraction. Based on these results, CFEFs may be useful as an alternative medicine for the relief and retardation of immunological inflammatory responses through the reduction of inflammatory mediators, including NO and $PGE_2$ production.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.65-77
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the immunological properties of six strains of Acetobacter pasteurianus through nuclear factor-kappa B/activator protein-1 (NF-κB/AP-1) transcription factor activation and nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production in macrophages. We found that the six A. pasteurianus strains had no significant inhibitory effect on the cell viability of RAW-Blue^TM cells at the concentration of (25, 50, 100 CFU/macrophage). The production of NO and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) showed different abilities of immune activation for each strain, and it was 0.7 to 0.9 times higher than that of the LPS (100 ng/mL, v/v) positive control and 7 to 8 times superior to that of the negative control group. To explore the underlying mechanism, we evaluated the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Consequently, we found that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression including genes expression of cytokines were elevated by the six A. pasteurianus treatment. These results suggested that the six strains of A. pasteurianus have an excellent industrial application value as a functional material for the purpose of enhancing immune function.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.431-439
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• 2014

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ginsenoside-Rb2 (Rb2) can affect the secretion of catecholamines (CA) in the perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla. Rb2 ($3{\sim}30{\mu}M$), perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min, inhibited ACh (5.32 mM)-evoked CA secretory response in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Rb2 ($10{\mu}M$) also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion evoked by DMPP ($100{\mu}M$, a selective neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist) and high $K^+$ (56 mM, a direct membrane depolarizer). Rb2 itself did not affect basal CA secretion (data not shown). Also, in the presence of Rb2 ($50{\mu}g/mL$), the secretory responses of CA evoked by veratridine (a selective $Na^+$ channel activator ($50{\mu}M$), Bay-K-8644 (an L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, $10{\mu}M$), and cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, $10{\mu}M$) were significantly reduced, respectively. Interestingly, in the simultaneous presence of Rb2 ($10{\mu}M$) and L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase, $30{\mu}M$), the inhibitory responses of Rb2 on ACh-evoked CA secretory response was considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with the inhibitory effect of Rb2-treatment alone. Practically, the level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of Rb2 ($10{\mu}M$) was greatly elevated compared to the corresponding basal released level. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Rb2 inhibits the CA secretory responses evoked by nicotinic stimulation as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla. It seems that this inhibitory effect of Rb2 is mediated by inhibiting both the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ into the adrenomedullary chromaffin cells and also by suppressing the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of nitric oxide synthase, which is relevant to neuronal nicotinic receptor blockade.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.53-60
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• 2013

Objectives : DojukSan is known to be effective for treating a urinary diseases and stomatitis. However, there has been a lack of studies regarding the effects of Dojuksan on the inflammatory activities and effector inflammatory disease mechanism about macrophage before is not known. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Dojuksan water extract (DJS) on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of DJS on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Methods : In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis to measure the activation of MAPKs. Cells were treated with 200 ng/mL of LPS 1 h prior to the addition of DJS. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The investigation focused on whether DJS inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) productions, as well as the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Results : We found that DJS inhibited LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, DJS suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun NH2-protein kinase (JNK). Conclusions : These results suggest that DJS has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, and IL-6 production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the MAPKs phosphorylation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2017

This study examined a new functional cosmetic material possessing application possibility of Sambucus sieboldiana var. pendula (Nakai) (SS) extract. For this, we analyzed the toxic effect of the SS extract on macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) by performing MTT assay. Results of the MTT assay showed ${\geq}100%$ cell viability after treatment with $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract. To determine the anti-inflammatory activity of the SS extract, we examined its inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells by performing Griess assay. Result of the Griess assay showed that the SS extract inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Next, we examined the effect of the SS extract on the production of proinflammatory factors inducible NOS (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. First, we determined the inhibitory effect of 50, 100, and $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract on iNOS and COX-2 protein expression by performing western blot analysis, with ${\beta}$-actin as a positive control. Results of western blotting showed that treatment with $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract decreased iNOS and COX-2 protein expression by 31.2% and 54.7%, respectively. Next, we determined the inhibitory effect of 50, 100, and $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract on iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with GAPDH as a positive control. Results of reverse transcription-PCR showed that treatment with $500{\mu}g/ml$ SS extract decreased the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 by 72.2% and 89%, respectively. These results suggest that the SS extract is a highly valuable natural compound because of its functional components and anti-inflammatory activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1464-1467
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• 2006

Artemisia princeps Pampanini, which is named as Sajabalssuk (SJ-1) in Korea, was fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and their antiallergic activities were investigated. When SJ-l was fermented with some LAB isolated from human feces, the inhibition of NO production in RAW264.7 cells and antioxidant activities of SJ-1 were not affected. However, the inhibitory activity of SJ-1 against degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells induced by IgE was increased by LAB fermentation. Among the LAB tested, Bifidobacterium infantis K-525 provided the most potent inhibitory effect of SJ-1 against degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells. SJ-1 extract fermented with B. infantis K-525 (F-SJ-1) potently inhibited the mouse passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction induced by IgE with antigen, skin dermatitis induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, and scratching behaviors induced by compound 48/80. These inhibitory activities of F-SJ-1 were more potent than those of SJ-1. These findings suggest that the inhibition of SJ-1. extract against IgE-induced allergic diseases, such as rhinitis and asthma, can be enhanced by LAB fermentation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.451-456
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• 2007

Curcumin, a polyphenolic antioxidant purified from turmeric, has been known to possess various biological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. In this study, we have explored anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin using Gram (-) bacterium-derived endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide: LPS) and macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Curcumin suppressed NO production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, Curcumin also blocked the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ but not AP-1 according to luciferase assay. Furthermore, this compound suppressed the phosphorylation of a series of intracellular signaling components such as Src, JAK-2, Akt, IKK and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ under LPS stimulation in a time dependent manner, Therefore, our data suggest that curcumin was able to protect the host from Gram(-) bacterial-infection-mediated inflammatory symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2013

This study was to investigate the quality of commercial Hwangryunhaedok-tang (Hwanglianjiedu-tang, HHT) extractive granules by comparing with HHT decoction. The contents of index components and the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative abilities of two different commercial HHT granules (HHT-2 and HHT-3) were compared with those of the HHT decoction (HHT-1). The contents were analyzed with HPLC. The anti-inflammatory effects were determined by measuring NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cell. We compared the anti-oxidative effects through ABTS radical scavenging activities. The range of contents of 7 ingredients was 0.42-36.54 mg/g in HHT-1, not detected-12.30 mg/g in HHT-2, not detected-18.79 mg/g in HHT-3. Although HHT-1, HHT-2, HHT-3 had the inhibitory effects on the production of NO, $PGE_2$ and the scavenging activities on ABTS, HHT-1 showed stronger effects than HHT-2, HHT-3 (HHT-1 > HHT-3 > HHT-2). HHT-1 inhibited the production of IL-6, while HHT-2, HHT-3 showed no inhibitory effects. It is necessary to find appropriate methods for extracting HHT and to establish standardized processes, in order to improve the quality of commercial traditional herbal formula.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.305-314
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• 2017

Background: Hericium erinaceus is considered a functional food and potential medicinal source. The present study was conducted to examine the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of carried out with water and ethanol extracts of Hericium erinaceus grown on germinated green rice (HEGR-W and HEGR-E, respectively) and the water and ethanol extracts of germinated green rice (GR-W and GR-E, respectively) as potential medicinal resources or antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. Methods and Results: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, DPPH, and ABTS activity, reducing power, DNA protective activity, cell viability, and NO production were investigated. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were highest in HEGR-E ($66.53{\pm}2.40 mg{\cdot}GAE/100g$ and $82.12{\pm}7.10mg{\cdot}CE/100g$ respectively). HEGR-E exhibited high DPPH ($44.70{\pm}1.28%$) and, ABTS ($44.70{\pm}1.28%$) activity and reducing power (0.219). HEGR and GR extracts showed protective activity against DNA damage. The cytotoxicity of HEGR and GR in RAW264.7 cells and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells was low. HEGR-E and GR-W exhibited anti-inflammatory effects through a 28% inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Conclusions: These results suggested that the extracts of Hericium erinaceus grown on germinated green rice could be a potential medicinal material with natural antioxidant and NO inhibitory properties.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.348-353
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• 2011

The aim of the present study is to investigate the cytokine production inhibitory effect of a Dictamni Radicis Cortex (DRC). DRC has been commonly used as important medicinal herb in China and it used to control eczema, atopic dermatitis, fever and inflammatory diseases. Inflammation, such as a bacterial infection in vivo metabolites, such as external stimuli or internal stimuli to the defense mechanisms of the biological tissue a variety of intracellular regulatory factors deulin inflammatory TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, such as proinflammatory cytokines, prostagrandin, lysosomal enzyme, free radicals are involved in a variety of mediators. The present study was designed to determine the effect of the DRC on proinflammatory factors such as NO, iNOS expression and TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The cell toxicity was determined by MTS assay. To evaluate of anti-inflammatory effect of DRC, amount of NO was measured using the NO detection kit and the iNOS expression was measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. As a result, the DRC reduced NO, iNOS expression and TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 production without cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that the DRC may have an anti-inflammatory property through suppressing inflammatory mediator productions.