• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.681-687
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• 2017

This study was focused on the anti-inflammatory activities of Annona muricata leaf ethanol extracts (AME). Inflammation of macrophages was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, and various inflammation-mediated factors [cytokines and nitric oxide (NO)] were measured. AME treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced NO, cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$], and expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanical studies showed that AME treatment inhibited activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ in macrophages treated with LPS. From these results, AME treatment strongly inhibits LPS-induced inflammation through inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation, suggesting AME could be a potential candidate for treatment of inflammatory disease as a nutraceutical drug.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2010

Periodontal disease is a major oral disorder and comprises a group of infections that lead to inflammation of the gingiva and the destruction of periodontal tissues. $PPAR{\gamma}$ plays an important role in the regulation of several metabolic pathways and has recently been implicated in inflammatory response pathways. However, its effects on periodontal inflammation have yet to be clarified. In our current study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of $PPAR{\gamma}$ on periodontal disease. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed high levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and -9 (MMP-9). Moreover, these cells also showed upregulated activities for extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygnase-2. However, cells treated with Ad/$PPAR{\gamma}$ and rosiglitazone in same culture system showed reduced ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2, -9 and COX-2. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effects of $PPAR{\gamma}$ appear to be mediated via the suppression of the ERK1/2 pathway and consequent inhibition of NF-kB translocation. Our present findings thus suggest that $PPAR{\gamma}$ indeed has a pivotal role in gingival inflammation and may be a putative molecular target for future therapeutic strategies to control chronic periodontal disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.543-551
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• 2016

This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. methanol extract (VBME) on microglial activation and to identify the underlying mechanisms of action of these effects. The anti-inflammatory properties of VBME were studied using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. We measured the production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as inflammatory parameters. We also examined the effect of VBME on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-${\kappa}B$ p65). VBME significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of NO and $PGE_2$ and LPS-mediated upregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner; importantly, VBME was not cytotoxic. VBME also significantly reduced the generation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. In addition, VBME significantly dampened intracellular ROS production and suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 translocation by blocking $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ phosphorylation and degradation in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Our findings indicate that VBME inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators in BV-2 microglial cells by suppressing NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling. Thus, VBME may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases due to its ability to inhibit inflammatory mediator production in activated BV-2 microglial cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.29-43
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of LR3 and SP6 acupuncture on liver damage of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods : Male ICR mice were divided into four groups, consisting of the normal mice group(N), acupuncture-free diabetic mice group(Con), LR3-acupuncture diabetic mice group(LR3) and SP6-acupuncture diabetic mice group(SP6). The following measurements were taken: Body weight, food intake and water intake for 2 weeks; liver weight, and glucose levels in the serum and liver; ALT and AST in the serum; reactive oxygen species(ROS), reduced glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG) in the liver; and lastly, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts( RAGE), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxymethyl$ lysine(CML), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxyethyl$ lysine(CEL), phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B alpha($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$), nuclear factor-kappa B($NF-{\kappa}B$), activator protein-1(AP-1), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$), ${\beta}-actin$, cytochrome c and caspase in the liver. Results : The liver weight and GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly increased in SP6 compared to Con. The glucose levels in the liver were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The generation of ROS and GSSG were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. The expressions of RAGE, CML, AP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, cytochrome c and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The expressions of $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$, AP-1, COX-2, iNOS and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. Conclusion : It is predicted that LR3 acupuncture is related to reduced glucose levels in the liver and expressions of AGE, and that, SP6 acupuncture is related to reduced oxidative stress-related transcription factors and inflammation-related proteins. Therefore, we suggest that LR3 and SP6 acupuncture have protective effects on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by preventing apoptosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.19-31
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• 2018

Objectives The object of this study was to investigate the antioxidative and antiinflammatory effects of Jinmu-tang extract (JMT) on the Monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced rat osteoarthritis. Methods To investigate the antioxidant capacities of JMT, we measured the total polyphenol and flavonoid, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. To evaluate the antioxidative and antiinflammatory effects of JMT, the rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8). Normal group was not induced by MIA and treated at all (N), control group was induced by MIA and not treated at all (Con), positive control group was induced by MIA and orally administered indomethacin 5 mg/kg (Indo) and experimental groups were induced by MIA and orally administered JMT 100 mg/kg (JMT100) and JMT 200 mg/kg (JMT200) for 4 weeks. The changes of anti-type II collagen antibody in serum, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), phosphorylated inhibitor of ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ ($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) in knee joint tissue and histopathological observation (Hematoxylin & Eosin and Safranin-O stain) were measured. Results Total polyphenol and flavonoid levels of JMT were $26.90{\pm}0.33mg/g$ and $6.02{\pm}0.34mg/g$. $IC_{50}$ of L-ascorbic acid and JMT of DPPH radical scavenging activity were $1.35{\pm}0.07{\mu}g/ml$ and $52.95{\pm}0.97{\mu}g/ml$. $IC_{50}$ of L-ascorbic acid and JMT of ABTS radical scavenging activity were $3.18{\pm}0.02{\mu}g/ml$ and $91.49{\pm}1.74{\mu}g/ml$. In serum, the anti-type II collagen antibody levels of JMT100 and JMT200 groups were decreased significantly. In knee joint tissue, the HO-1 level of JMT200 was increased significantly. The $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels of JMT200 were decreased significantly. The COX-2 and iNOS levels of JMT groups were decreased significantly. In histopathological observation, in comparison with Con, synovial tissue, cartilage and proteoglycan of JMT100 and JMT200 were well preserved. Conclusions According to the results, It is considered that JMT has antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects for MIA-induced rat osteoarthritis, so it could be applied to osteoarthritis treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.215-220
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• 2004

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (AEAC), a traditional Korean herb for remedying liver disease, for suppression in the process of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in the liver of rat. Level of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was increased in the serum of LPS-treated rats compared to normal, however, in the rats pretreated with AEAC, the increase of GOT, GPT and LDH value was arrested. More severe histological changes of liver such as cloudy swelling, hydropic degeneration, Kupffer cell reaction and inflammatory cells infiltration were demonstrated in the rats challenged with LPS compared with normal. Fewer scores of these changes were observed in rats pretreated with AEAC. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that while the expression of the nuclear factor (NF)-kBp65, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and COX (cyclooxygenase)-2 tended to increase, that of inhibitory (I)-kBa was decreased in the hepatocytes of rats challenged with LPS. A slight decline of NF-kBp65, TNF-$\alpha$ and COX-2, but increase of I-kB$\alpha$ were observed in the hepatocytes of the rats pretreated with AEAC. These results suggest that AEAC may act as a therapeutic agent for liver disease through a regulation of inflammation-related proteins.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.713-720
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• 2014

In this study, the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Ardisia arborescens ethanol extract (AAEE) were evaluated using in vitro assays and a cell culture model system. AAEE exhibited potent scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), similar to ascorbic acid, which was used as a positive control. Moreover, AAEE effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, AAEE induced the expression of antioxidative enzymes, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1), in addition to their upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), in a dose-dependent manner. The upstream signaling pathways of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) might regulate the modulation of HO-1, TrxR1, and Nrf2 expression. On the other hand, AAEE inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) formation, without cytotoxicity. Suppression of NO formation was the result of AEEE-induced down-regulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The suppression of NO and iNOS by AAEE might be modulated by their upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, and activator protein (AP)-1 pathways. Taken together, these results provide important new insights into the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of A. arborescens. AAAEE might represent a promising material in the field of nutraceuticals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.1621-1628
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• 2015

The immune system plays an important role in maintaining and protecting human health. In the present study, comparison of immuno-modulatory activities between polysaccharides (SFP) and ethanol (SFE) extracts separated from Sargassum fulvellum in macrophages and murine splenocytes were investigated. Immuno-modulatory activities of macrophages were estimated based on cell proliferation, nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cytokine production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and lipopolysaccharide was used as a positive control. SFP and SFE treatment did not affect cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and SFP treatment significantly increased NO and cytokine production ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$), whereas SFE did not contribute to the increase in NO and cytokine production. In the case of splenocytes, SFP treatment increased splenocyte proliferation and also highly increased production of Th-1 type cytokines (IL-2 and $IFN-{\gamma}$) than those of SFE. Through this study, we confirmed that immuno-modulatory activities of Sargassum fulvellum may be due to polysaccharide extracts and this can be a potential nutraceutical.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2011

Objective: Ovarian angiogenesis plays an important role in folliculogenesis. However, little is known about the expression of angiogenic factors during follicular development according to female age. Stromal cell derived factor-$1{\alpha}$ (SDF-$1{\alpha}$) plays a role in granulosa cell survival and embryo quality as an angiogenic chemokine. Leptin is also involved in folliculogenesis and angiogenesis. This study examined expression of SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin, and their effects on the expression of angiogenic factors in the ovary during follicular development according to female age. Methods: Ovaries were collected from C57BL mice of two age groups (6-9 weeks and 24-26 weeks) at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after 5 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injection. The expression of ovarian SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin mRNA was evaluated by RT-PCR. In the organ culture experiment, the ovaries were cultured in transwell permeable supports with Waymouth's medium treated with various doses of SDF-$1{\alpha}$(50-200 ng/mL) or leptin (0.01-1 ${\mu}g$/mL) for 7 days. Then, mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and visfatin were examined in the cultured ovaries. Results: Expression of SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin in the ovary was significantly lower in the aged mouse group compared to the young mouse group ($p$ <0.05). Expression of these two factors increased with follicular development after PMSG administration. SDF-$1{\alpha}$ treatment stimulated visfatin expression in a dose-dependent manner, while leptin treatment significantly increased eNOS expression. Conclusion: These results suggest that decrease of ovarian SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin expression may be associated with aging-related reduction of ovarian function. SDF-$1{\alpha}$ and leptin may play a role in follicular development by regulating the expression of angiogenic factors in mouse ovaries.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1254-1260
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• 2012

The moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) plant is used both as food and an anti-allergic agent. In this study, we investigated skin protection effects of methanol extracts from the root, seed, fruit, and leaves of moringa in HaCaT keratinocyte cells. To investigate the pharmacological potential of various moringa extracts on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced collagen degradation in HaCaT cells, we measured the activity of matrix metallopeptidase-9,2 (MMP-9,2) by zymography analysis. Our results showed that all the moringa extracts inhibit the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced enzyme activity of MMP-9. In particular, moringa root extracts significantly suppressed MMP-9 and MMP-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Next, to investigate the anti-inflammation effect of the moringa extracts, we examined cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of the extracts. The results showed that both the root extracts and the seed extracts decreased the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression of COX-2. In addition, the root and leaf extracts reduced the expression of IL-6. However, none of the moringa extracts affected the expression of iNOS. The results suggest that moringa root extracts down-regulate MMP-9, COX-2, and IL-6 and that the root extracts offer superior skin protection effects compared with other extracts of moringa in HaCaT cells.