• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2008

Objectives : Inflammation is important event in the development of vascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Injinho-tang(IJHT) has been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine since ancient times, and today it is widely used as a medication for jaundice associated with inflammation of the liver. The aim of this study was to determine whether IJHT and its components inhibit production of nitrite, an index of NO, and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of IJHT and its components on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-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 : IJHT and its components significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression accompanied by an attenuation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (1L-6), IL-$1{\beta}$ and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) formation in macrophages. Conclusions : IJHT and its components inhibit LPS-induced inflammation via decreasing cytokines production. These results indicate that IJHT and its components have potential as an anti-inflammation and anti-artherosclerosis agent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.192-196
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• 2002

Traditionally, aqueous extracts of Puerariae radix had been used for the treatment of alcohol-related problems. In the present study, the effect of Puerariae radix on cell proliferation and expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the dentate gyrus of alcohol-intoxicated rats were investigated via 5-bromo-2' -deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry, respectively. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150 ± 10 g were divided into four groups: the control group, the Puerarias radix-treated group, the alcohol-treated group, and the alcohol- and Puerariae radix-treated group. The numbers of both BrdU-positive and NADPH-d-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were inhibited significantly by alcohol administration, while Puerariae radix treatment was shown to increase those numbers. In this study, it was revealed that Puerariae radix possesses protective effect against alcohol-induced suppressed new cell formation and NOS expression in the dentate gyrus. Based on the results, it is possible that NO, which might play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, is a major target of the toxic effects of alcohol.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.322-326
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• 2002

Artemisia iwayomogi has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for anemia. The effect of Artemisia iwayomogi on tracheal smooth muscle is not known. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Artemisia iwayomogi on histamine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs(500g, male) were killed by CO₂ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each rat and guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted ‘in pairs’ in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) which evoked 50% of maximal response (ED/sub 50/) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine (10/sup -7/～10/sup -4/M). Contractions evoked by His (ED/sub 50/) were inhibited significantly by Artemisia iwayomogi. In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 31.9% (p<0.05) after 100㎕/㎖ Artemisia iwayomogi. L-NNA slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Artemisia iwayomogi. Following treatment with L-NNA, the mean percent inhibition caused by 100㎕/㎖ Artemisia iwayomogi fell to 44.6% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction. Propranolol, indomethacin and methylene blue did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Artemisia iwayomogi. These results indicate that Artemisia iwayomogi can relax histamine induced contraction of guinea pig, and that this inhibition related to nitric oxide formation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2010

The methanol extract of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (MZRR) were evaluated for its ability to suppress the formation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. MZRR presented an inhibition of LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that MZRR significantly inhibited the protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-activated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. LPS-induced COX-2, iNOS, and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity were also decreased in the presence of MZRR. The production of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, were reduced after MZRR administration in a dose dependent-manner. These results suggest that the MZRR extract involved in the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 via the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway, revealing a partial molecular basis for anti-inflammatory properties of the MZRR extract.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2004

Background: Production of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathology of autoimmune disease. It is unknown whether iNOS expression is increased within testes and whether iNOS and NO have essential roles in the pathogenesis of EAO. Methods: EAO was induced in guinea pig testes at 17 days after secondary immunization by administration of crude extract (CE) and purified glycoprotein 1 (GP1) from normal guinea pig testes. iNOS gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis in testes. Localization of iNOS and Mac-1 and the indicator of NO-mediated tissue injury, nitrotyrosine, were detected in the testicular lesion by immunohistochemistry. Results: In control testes, inflammation and iNOS gene expression were not detected, whereas, in CE- and GP1-injected testes, inflammation and marked iNOS gene expression were evident at day 17 after secondary immunization. Immunohistochemistry of Mac-1 showed the colocalization with iNOS protein and nitrotyrosyl proteins in intertubules, suggesting that NO produced by infiltrated macrophages may be involved in inflammatory lesions of intertubules. Intraperitoneal administration of aminoguanidine significantly prevented EAO with reduction of inflammation, iNOS expression and nitrotyrosine formation. Conclusion: These results suggest that NO production by macrophages may be important in the pathogenesis of CE- and GP1-induced EAO. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of iNOS inhibitor in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune mediated-diseases.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor N-[3-aminomethyl]benzyl]acetamidine (l400W) on the reperfused cremaster muscle. The extracellular superoxide dismutase knockout ($EC-SOD^{-/-}$) mice was used to make the experimental window for ischemia-reperfusion injury. The muscle was exposed to 4.5 h of ischemia followed by 90 min of reperfusion and the mice received either 3 mg/kg of 1400W or the same amount of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) subcutaneously at 10 min before the start of reperfusion. The results showed that 1400W treatment markedly improved the recovery of the vessel diameter and blood flow in the reperfused cremaster muscle compared to that of PBS group. Histological examination showed reduced edema in the interstitium and muscle fiber, and reduced nitrotyrosine formation (a marker of total peroxinitrite ($ONOO^-$) in 1400W-treated muscle compared to PBS. Our results suggest that iNOS and $ONOO^-$ products are involved in skeletal muscle I/R injury. Reduced I/R injury by using selective inhibition of iNOS is perhaps via limiting cytotoxic $ONOO^-$ generation, a reaction product of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion ($O_2^-$). Thus, inhibition of iNOS appears to be a good treatment strategy in reducing clinical I/R injury.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.253-258
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• 2008

The anti-inflammatory activities of an ethanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. (CS) were investigated in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Result indicated that CS inhibited the LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner with an $IC_{50}$ of $10.9\;{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, CS attenuated the iNOS mRNA and protein expression by inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. CS also suppressed the productions of IL-6 and MCP-1 in a dose-dependent manner, with $IC_{50}$ values of $15.9\;{\mu}g/mL$ and $5.47\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In addition to the anti-inflammatory activities, CS decreased intracellular ROS formation in the same cells. In conclusion, CS inhibited the production of NO, IL-6 and MCP-1 via a suppression of the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and intracellular ROS generation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3065-3071
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• 2012

Aim: The present investigation was to evaluate the effects of essential oils of Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) on free radicals and in vivo antioxidant properties. Methods: Essential oils were extracted using hydro-distillation and compound analysis was performed by GC-MS analysis. Screening for inhibitory activity was conducted by DPPH and OH-scavenging assays. In addition an in vivo study was carried out in cell line implanted cancer bearing mice with assessment of levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione. Finally, lungs were dissected out for histopathology study of metastasis. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of carvocrol and trans-caryophyllene as the major compounds with 96% comparison with the Wilily and NBS libraries. The essential oil exhibited significant inhibition in DPPH free radical formation. Whereas reducing power and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity are dose dependent. When compared with the standard, it was found that the essential oil has more or less equal activity in scavenging free radicals produced. In the animal studies, the level of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as glutathione, were found to be increased in treated groups whereas lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide were reduced. Histopathology report also shows that the essential oil has a significant combating effect against cancer development. Conclusion: In all the in vitro assays, a significant correlation existed between the concentrations of the essential oil and percentage inhibition of free radicals. The in vivo studies also has shown a very good antioxidant property for the essential oil during cancer development. From, these results the essential oil can be recommended for treating disease related to free radicals and to prevent cancer development.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.477-485
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• 2013

The major source of harmful air pollutants in Korea have been shifted as economy grows. Particulate matter(PM) and Sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) emitted from industries and coal-fired domestic sectors were important pollutants in 1970's and later industrializing period of Korea. Then the characteristic of pollution was changed into so-called "developed country type pollution". Vehicles have been responsible for significant amount of Nitric oxide ($NO_x$) pollution and consequent Ozone formation in urban area since 1990's. Variety of control measures have been introduced to deal with the vehicle emissions in Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA). Emission control technologies have successfully reduced pollutants from vehicles. Three-way catalyst for vehicles fueled by gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), for example, has achieved large amount of pollutants. Compressed natural gas (CNG) urban bus have penetrated existing diesel bus market and reduces PM and $NO_x$ emissions in many Korean cities. However, diesel vehicles are still reaming as a critical emission source of urban area. Diesel vehicles gain more popularity than ever because of their better fuel efficiency and driving power. Unfortunately, it is widely known that the pollutant emissions of diesel vehicles are much larger than those of gasoline and LPG vehicles. In this note, we briefly introduce the trends of emission control strategies which are accomplished by automotive industries for about last ten years. Emission regulation, cleaner fuel, diesel particulate filter (DPF) and other measures are discussed from technical as well as legislative perspectives.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1573-1579
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• 2005

This study was undertaken to define the effect of DaeSiHo-Tang extract on the hypertension in spontaneous hypertensive rat and norepinephrine-induced arterial contraction in rabbit. Systolic blood pressure and blood velocity were significantly attenuated by administration of DaeSiHo-Tang extract. but blood flow and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system unaffected by DaeSiHo-Tang extract. The relaxation effect of DaeSiHo-Tang extract was dependent on the presence of endothelium, showing that DaeSiHo-Tang extract-induced relaxation was not observed in the strips without endothelium. The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by DaeSiHo-Tang extract was decreased by the pretreatment of $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine or methylene blue, but it was not observed in the strips pretreated with indomethacin or tetraethylammonium chloride. When $Ca^{2+}$ was applied, the strips which were contracted by norepinephrine in a $Ca^{2+}$-free solution, arterial contraction was increased. But pre-treatment of DaeSiHo-Tang extract inhibited contractile response to $Ca^{2+}$. These results indicate that antihypertensive effect of DaeSiHo-Tang extract is due to descend arterial resistance by the arterial relaxation through the formation of nitric oxide in the vascular endothelial cells.