• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2009

Halitosis is a generally accepted marker of diseases in the oral cavity and of systemic and gastrointestinal disorders. Based on these authors' previous findings (that (1) there is a close association between H. pylori infection and halitosis; (2) Korea red ginseng may suppress the colonization of H. pylori, fight H. pylori-induced cytotoxicity, and impose significant anti-inflammatory actions in patients with chronic gastritis; and (3) H. pylori infection is linked with the generation of significant levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), and the levels of VSCs correlate significantly with H. pylori-associated mucosal damages), in the current study, the authors documented the molecular mechanisms of Korea red ginseng's efficacy in ameliorating halitosis. When the RAW 264.7 cells were treated with the $H_2S$ releasing compound NaHS, the mRNA expression of cystathionine ${\gamma}$-lyase (CSE), IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS were more significantly induced compared with the vehicle-treated group. The cytoskeletal components of ezrin's and moesin's mRNA expressions were elevated by NaHS treatment accompanied by the activation of MAPK, p38, and ERK. Korea red ginseng pretreatment reduced both the NaHS-induced CSE expression and the proinflammatory genes (e.g., IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS) in a concentration-dependent manner. The ERM expression and the phosphorylation of p38 were also significantly reduced by Korea-red-ginseng pretreatment. Overall, Korea red ginseng pretreatment imposed significant anti-inflammatory effects through the downregulation of the NaHS-triggered proinflammatory gene expression, CSE, and ERM mRNA expression. Korea red ginseng could thus be said to be a key remedy of halitosis and to be effective in relieving gastric inflammation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2019

Recently, due to the increase in skin diseases caused by particulate matter, endocrine disruptor and environmental changes, the trend of development of cosmetic materials has been shifting to the more safe and effective ingredients based on natural materials rather than existing synthetic compounds like steroids and antihistamines. This study aimed to develop a new natural cosmetic materials using oriental herbs such as Eucommiae cortex, Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel and Bombyx batryticatus. First, DPPH assay was performed to examine the antioxidative activity of the herbal extract (Mix) and 98.8% DPPH radical scavenging activity was confirmed at $400{\mu}g/mL$ concentration of it. In order to confirm the whitening efficacy of oriental herbal extracts(mix), the amount of melanin synthesized after stimulation of ${\alpha}-MSH$ with B16F10 cells was measured. Results showed that it was decreased to 27.1% comparing with the only ${\alpha}-MSH$ treated group, which confirmed the whitening efficacy. Also, both nitric oxide(NO) production and iNOS and COX-2 expression were significantly reduced in RAW264.7 macrophages activated by LPS in the presence of the extracts(Mix). The mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines such as $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ was also analyzed to confirm the inhibition effect of the extracts on inflammation. Finally, to confirm the enhancement of skin barrier function, the expression of claudin 1 gene, a tight junction protein, was observed using human keratinocyte HaCaT cells and increased as concentration dependent manner. From these results, it is concluded that the oriental herbal extracts(Mix) containing Eucommiae cortex, Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel and Bombyx batryticatus is effective for antioxidant, anti-inflammation, skin whitening, and skin barrier and thus could be applied as a new natural cosmetic material.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.987-994
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• 2021

Our previous studies have reported that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from the larvae of white-spotted flower chafer (Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis) exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. This study explored the anti-inflammatory effects of protaetiamycine 9 (CVLKKAYFLTNLKLRG-NH₂), a novel AMP, derived from P. b. seulensis against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Protaetiamycine 9 (25, 50, 75, and 100 ㎍/ml) did not cause cytotoxic effects against RAW264.7 cells. The RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of protaetiamycine 9 (25-100 ㎍/ml) for 1 hr and then exposed to LPS (100 ng/ml) for 24 hr. Protaetiamycine 9 treatments decreased the LPS-induced secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), in a dose-dependent manner. Protaetiamycine 9 (25-100 ㎍/ml) effectively downregulated the LPS-induced increase in mRNA and the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which are involved in the production of inflammatory mediators. Protaetiamycine 9 also suppressed the production and gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, compared to the presence of LPS alone. Furthermore, protaetiamycine 9 inhibited the degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκB-α) and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. In conclusion, these results suggest that protaetiamycine 9 exhibits LPS-mediated inflammatory responses by blocking IκB-α degradation and MAPK phosphorylation.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1095-1106
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• 2023

This study investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of Aster glehni (AG) extract in RAW 264.7 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were higher in the ethanol extracts than in the hot water extracts. As a result of measuring the moisture contents (%) and extraction yields (%) of AG and drying A. glehni for processing (DAG), 70% ethanol, which has the highest percentage of extraction yield, was selected as the final solvent. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed higher antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts of DAG than AG. The cytotoxicity assay of the AG or DAG ethanol extracts was treated at different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL), and cell viability rates were higher than 80% at all concentrations. The LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 was significantly reduced at all concentrations of AG and DAG groups. As a result of measuring the gene expression of iNOS, which induces NO production, the AG or DAG group decreased by 33% and 32%, compared with the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) group. Under inflammatory stress conditions, the survival rate of C. elegans treated with AG or DAG ethanol extract with LPS showed concentration-dependent improvement in survival rate compared with the PBS group. Considering these results, AG could potentially be developed as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functional food material.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.116-135
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was intended to clarify how Jakyakkamchobuja-tang (hereinafter referred to JKBT) affects mice of C57BL/10 whose osteoarthritis was induced by papain. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced in mice by injecting papain in the knee joint. Mice were divided into 4 groups (n=6). The normal group were not treated at all whereas the control group (OAC-control) were induced for osteoarthritis by papain and oral medicated with 200 ul of physiological saline per day. The positive comparison group (OAC-$Joins^{(R)}$) were injected with papain and after 7 days, 100 mg/kg of $Joins^{(R)}$ were medicated with 200 ul of physiological saline mixed. The experimental group (OAC-JKBT) were injected with papain and after 7 days were medicated with 400 mg/kg of JKBT mixed with 200 ul of physiological saline. OAC-$Joins^{(R)}$ and OAC-JKBT were oral medicated for each substance for a total of 4 weeks, once per day. After experiments (from 1 week after injection of papain to 4 weeks elapsed), the function of liver and kidney, inflammation cytokine values within serum, degree of revelation for inflammation cytokine genes, immune cells within blood, metabolism of arachidonic acid and amount of cartilage were measured and histopathological variations for knee joint structures were observed. Results: Functions of liver and kidney were not affected. IL-$1{\beta}$ (interleukin-$1{\beta}$), MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and TNF-${\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were significantly reduced and IL-6 (interleukin-6) was also reduced but not significantly. After analyzing inflammation cytokine in joints with mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid), revelation of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) and iNOS-II (inducible nitric oxide synthase-II) were all significantly reduced. Revelation of IL-$1{\beta}$ gene was also reduced but not significantly. Neutrophil for WBC (white blood cell) within serum was significantly reduced; monocyte was also reduced but not significantly. PGE2 (prostaglandin E2), TXB2 (thromboxane B2) were significantly reduced and LTB4 (leukotriene B4) was also reduced but not significantly. Destruction of cartilage on micro CT (computed tomography)-arthrography was reduced but had no significant differences. In terms of histopathology, infiltration of inflammation, proliferation of synovial membrane, subsidence of cartilage and bone due to penetration of excessive formation of synovial cell and destruction of cartilage were small (H&E (hematoxylin and eosin), safranine O staining). Conclusions: Based on these results, Jakyakkamchobuja-tang (JKBT) is believed to be useful for suppressing the progress of osteoarthritis and its treatments because of its anti-inflammatory effects and alleviation of pain with histopathological effective efficacy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.595-603
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• 2016

(E)-3-Phenyl-1-(2-pyrrolyl)-2-propenone (PPP) is a pyrrole derivative of chalcone, in which the B-ring of chalcone linked to ${\beta}$-carbon is replaced by pyrrole group. While pyrrole has been studied for possible Src inhibition activity, chalcone, especially the substituents on the B-ring, has shown pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity. Our study is aimed to investigate whether this novel synthetic compound retains or enhances the pharmaceutically beneficial activities from the both structures. For this purpose, inflammatory responses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells were analyzed. Nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) mRNA expression, and the intracellular inflammatory signaling cascade were measured. Interestingly, PPP strongly inhibited NO release in a dose-dependent manner. To further investigate this anti-inflammatory activity, we identified molecular pathways by immunoblot analyses of nuclear fractions and whole cell lysates prepared from LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with or without PPP pretreatment. The nuclear levels of p50, c-Jun, and c-Fos were significantly inhibited when cells were exposed to PPP. Moreover, according to the luciferase reporter gene assay after cotransfection with either TRIF or MyD88 in HEK293 cells, NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated luciferase activity dose-dependently diminished. Additionally, it was confirmed that PPP dampens the upstream signaling cascade of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 activation. Thus, PPP inhibited Syk, Src, and TAK1 activities induced by LPS or induced by overexpression of these genes. Therefore, our results suggest that PPP displays anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of Syk, Src, and TAK1 activity, which may be developed as a novel anti-inflammatory drug.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.251-257
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• 2011

Rice is the most important crop as a model plant for functional genomics of monocotyledons. Rice is usually transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. However, the transformation efficiency using previous method is still low. In this study, we established a new method by modifying the general Agrobacterium protocol especially in the inoculation and co-cultivation step. We directly inoculated Agrobacterium containing a CIPK15 gene under the control of CaMV 35S promoter and NOS terminator in the pCAM1300 vector into the pre-soaked seeds in N6D media for 24 hours. After 7 days of culture at $25^{\circ}C$, calli were formed on seeds cultured on the co-cultivation medium containing an antioxidant compound (1 mM dithiothreitol) and of Agrobacterium growth-inhibiting agent (3 mg/L silver nitrate). We obtained 35 and 22 transgenic plants in rice cultivars, Gopumbyeo and Ilpumbyeo, with increase of transformation efficiency by 30.4% and 22.6%, respectively compared to the general transformation method. The new method in this study would lead to reduction of substantial labor and time to generate transgenic plants.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.71-86
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• 2016

Objective : Hongyi (Formica yessensis) is the dried insect of fomicidae. In previous studies, it appeared possibilities on anti-thrombosis, preventing atherosclerosis, treating rheumatoid disease, and inhibiting hela cell. In this study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of Hongyi. Methods : Hongyi A was extracted by water and made dried powder. Hongyi B was extracted by ethanol and made dried powder. We measured Nitric Oxide (NO) production on the mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7), mouse vascular endothelial cell (MOVAS) and human vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) for anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, we conducted reverse transcription reaction (RT-PCR) for investigating the mechanism. Results : In RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by LPS, Hongyi A ($100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) decreased NO production compared with LPS $2{\mu}g/ml$ control group with statistical significance (p<0.05). Hongyi A (50, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) also decreased NO production compared with LPS $4{\mu}g/ml$ control group with statistical significance (p<0.01). Hongyi B (50, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) decreased NO production compared with LPS $2{\mu}g/ml$ control group with statistical significance (p<0.01). Hongyi B (10, 50, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) also decreased NO production compared with LPS $4{\mu}g/ml$ control group with statistical significance (p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.001). In the MOVAS, Hongyi A and B increased NO production compared with control group. In the HUVEC, Hongyi B increased NO production compared with control group. The expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in 12-hours MOVAS culture was decreased by Hongyi A and B (10, $50{\mu}g/ml$) compared with control group, but expression of $I{\kappa}B$ was increased. In the 24-hours MOVAS culture, expression of $I{\kappa}B$ was significantly increased. The expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in 12-hours HUVEC culture was decreased by Hongyi A and B compared with control group, but expression of $I{\kappa}B$ was increased. Hongyi B also increased eNOS mRNA gene expression. Conclusions : Hongyi A and B showed anti-inflammatory effect in mouse macrophages with the activation of vascular endothelial cell through NO production in MOVAS and HUVEC repectively. Honyi B showed superior effect than Hongyi A, but additonal mechanism study should be conducted.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.130-148
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• 2008

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the effect of the water extract of Gamisamgibopae-tang(GMSGBPT), an oriental herbal formulation, on the growth of NCI-H460 and A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines. Methods : Cytotoxicity and cell morphology were evaluated by MTT assay and inverted microscope, respectively. Apoptosis was detected using agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometer. The expression levels of mRNAs and proteins of target genes were determined by RT-PCR and western blot analyses, respectively Result and Conclusion : We found that exposure of A549 cells to GMSGBPT resulted in the growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay, but GMSGBPTdid not affect the growth of NCI-H460 cells. The anti-proliferative effect of GMSGBPT treatment in A549 cells was associated with morphological changes, formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometry analysis confirmed that GMSGBPT treatment increased the populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. Growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death by GMSGBPT were connected with a up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1) mRNA and protein in a tumor suppressor p53-independent fashion. However GMSGBPT treatment did not affect other growth regulation-related genes such as early growth response-1 (Egr-1), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated gene-1 (NAG-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenases (COXs), telomere-regulatory factors in A549 orNCI-H460 cells. Taken together, these findings partially provide novel insights into the possible molecular mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of GMSGBPT.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.973-981
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• 2007

In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of the water extract of Samgibopae-tang (SGBPT) in NCI-H460 and A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines. We found that exposure of A549 cells to SGBPT resulted in the growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay, however SGBPT did not affect the growth of NCI-H460 cells. The antiproliferative effect by SGBPT treatment in A549 cells was associated with morphological changes such as membrane shrinking and cell rounding up. SGBPT treatment did not induce the cell cycle arrest in both cell lines, however the frequency of sub-G1 population was concentration-dependently increased by SGBPT treatment in A549 cells. SGBPT treatment partially induced the expression of tumor suppressor p53 in A549 cells and the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) was markedly increased in both transcriptional and translational levels in A549 cells. The up-regulation of p21 by SGBPT occurred in a similar a concentration dependent manner to that observed with the inhibition of cell viability and induction of sub-G1 population of the cell cycle. However SGBPT treatment did not affect other growth regulation-related genes such as early growth response-1 (Egr-1), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1), inducible nitric oxide synthease (iNOS), cyclooxygenases (COXs), telomere-regulatory factors in A549 as well as NCI-H460 cells. Taken together, these findings suggested that SGBPT-induced inhibition of human lung carcinoma A549 cell growth was aoosciated with the induction of p21 and the results provided important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of SGBPT.