• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.227-231
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• 2014

Cimicifuga heracleifolia extract (CHE) was investigated for its effects on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and at the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in mouse macrophages. We found that C. heracleifolia elicited a dose-dependent increase in NO production and the level of iNOS mRNA. Since, iNOS transcription has been shown to be under the control of the transcription factor $NF-{\kappa}B$, the effects of CHE on $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation were examined. Transient expression assays with $NF-{\kappa}B$ binding sites linked to the luciferase gene revealed that the increased level of iNOS mRNA, induced by CHE, was mediated by the $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor complex. By using DNA fragments containing the $NF-{\kappa}B$ binding sequence, CHE was shown to activate the protein/DNA binding of $NF-{\kappa}B$ to its cognate site, as measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These results demonstrate that C. heracleifolia stimulates NO production and is able to up-regulate iNOS expression through $NF-{\kappa}B$ transactivation.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

Objectives : Cheongnoimyungshin-hwan (CNMSH) is a Herbal compound prescription that is composed mainly of herbal medicines such as Ginseng Radix Alba, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Longan Arillus and cornus cervi parvum, and for the purpose of improving memory and preventing dementia. Methods : In this study, it was investigated whether CNMSH could suppress inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. As a result, CNMSH decreased expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, and also inhibited production of NO, prostaglandin E2. Results : This effect was associated with the suppression of the expression of p65, one of the nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$) subunits, and increased expression of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, inhibit the $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor. In addition, CNMSH significantly blocked intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation in response to LPS stimulation. Furthermore, CNMSH increased expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf)-2 activation and heme oxygenase (HO)-1. Conclusions : Therefore, it has been shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the expression and production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated macrophages, and is associated with ROS generation and is activated by Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.13-20
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• 2018

Estragole is a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid obtained from essential oils found in a broad diversity of plants. Although the phenylpropanoids show many biological activities, clear regulation of the inflammatory signaling pathways has not yet been determined. Here, we scrutinized the anti-inflammatory effect of estragole. The anti-inflammatory effect of estragole was determined through the inhibitory mechanisms of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways and the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2)/heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Estragole significantly inhibited NO production, iNOS and COX-2 expression as well as LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK activation. Furthermore, estragole suppressed LPS-induced intracellular ROS production but up-regulated the stress response gene HO-1 via the activation of transcription factor Nrf-2. These findings demonstrate that estragole inhibits the LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators via the down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and MAPK pathways, as well as the up-regulation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway, indicating that this phenylpropanoid has potential therapeutic and preventive applications in various inflammatory diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제45권9호
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• pp.1106-1113
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• 2002

목 적: 전사인자 $NF-{\kappa}B$는 스트레스 등으로부터 세포 자멸사를 조절하여 적응을 유지하는 기본적인 분자로 인식되고 있다. 저산소증 상태는 많은 심장병에서 동반되는 병변으로 성장인자 VEGF와 IGF-I는 저산소증 시에 심장을 보호하는 작용을 할 것으로 추측되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 저산소증과 같은 자극으로부터 심장의 보호 기능이 추정된 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 발현과 함께 VEGF와 IGF-I의 발현 연관성을 검토하여 분자 생물학적인 기전을 이해하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 실험동물로 Sprague Dawley rat을 이용하여, 저산소 자극은 8%의 산소와 92% 질소를 hypoxic chamber로 관류시키며 유도하였다. 심장에 대한 저산소증 자극 후 심근세포로부터 측정 인자들과 관련된 핵 내 단백질, 전단백질 그리고 mRNA를 분리하였다. 핵 내의 전사인자는 EMSA로 측정하였으며, VEGF와 IGF-I의 발현은 competitive-PCR, Western hybridization, Northern hybridization으로 확인하였다. 또한 이러한 성장인자의 발현과 관련된 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 기능을 확인하기 위하여 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 핵 내 이동 억제제인 DDTC를 전 처치로 복강 내 주사하여 그에 따른 VEGF 및 IGF-I의 발현 양상을 비교하였다. 결 과 : 저산소 자극 후에 심근 세포 내에 전사인자 $NF-{\kappa}B$, AP-1, NF-ATc의 활성이 증가되었다. VEGF와 IGF-I의 발현도 저산소증 자극 시 증가되었지만, DDTC 전 처치에 의한 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 핵 내 이동 차단 후 이들 인자의 발현은 의의 있게 감소하였다. 결 론 : 전사인자 $NF-{\kappa}B$는 저산소증 상태에서 그 활성이 증가하고 저산소증 상태와 같은 심장에 대한 이상 자극 시 VEGF와 IGF-I의 발현을 증가시켜 심장을 보호하는 것으로 추정된다.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.527-536
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• 2014

An ethanolic extract from Myagropsis yendoi was fractionated using several solvents. Among these, an ethyl acetate fraction (Myagropsis yendoi ethyl acetate fraction: MYE) showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity based on inhibition of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. We thus investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying MYE's inhibitory effects. Pretreatment of cells with up to $30{\mu}g/mL$ of MYE significantly inhibited NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Similarly, MYE markedly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, as well as their mRNA levels. While the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) was strongly suppressed by MYE, the activation of a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) was increased. Moreover, MYE significantly reduced the phosphorylation of JNK, p38 MAPK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt in LPS-stimulated cells. These results indicate that MYE contains anti-inflammatory compounds, and that it might be used as a dietary supplement for the prevention of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권10호
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• pp.1635-1644
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• 2018

Asterias amurensis (starfish) is a marine organism that is harmful to the fishing industry, but is also a potential source of functional materials. The present study was conducted to analyze the profiles of fatty acids extracted from A. amurensis tissues and their anti-inflammatory effects on RAW264.7 macrophage cells. In different tissues, the component ratios of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids differed; particularly, polyunsaturated fatty acids such as dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) were considerably different. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, fatty acids from A. amurensis skin, gonads, and digestive glands exhibited anti-inflammatory activities by reducing nitric oxide production and inducing nitric oxide synthase gene expression. Asterias amurensis fatty acids effectively suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, and interleukin-6 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$, which are critical inflammation biomarkers, were also significantly suppressed. Furthermore, A. amurensis fatty acids reduced the phosphorylation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ p-65, p38, extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, indicating that these fatty acids ameliorated inflammation through the nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. These results provide insight into the anti-inflammatory mechanism of A. amurensis fatty acids on immune cells and suggest that the species is a potential source of anti-inflammatory molecules.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.279-283
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• 2011

염증의 중요한 분자학적 기전에는 cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)에 의한 prostaglandins (PGs) 생성과 inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)에 의한 nitric oxide (NO) 생성이 있다. 많은 종류의 박테리아나 바이러스가 전사요소인 nuclear factor-${\kappa}$B(NF-${\kappa}$B)를 활성화시켜 여러 타깃 유전자의 발현을 조절해 PGs나 NO와 같은 염증물질을 유도하게 된다. 우리는 이번 실험을 통하여 phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)가 toll-like receptor(TLR) agonists에 의해 유도된 NF-${\kappa}$B활성과 COX-2, iNOS 발현에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아 보았다. PEITC는 lipopolysaccharide (LPS)와 polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C])에 의해 유도된 NF-${\kappa}$B활성을 억제시켰다. 또한 PEITC는 LPS와 Poly[I:C]에 의해 유도된 iNOS의 발현도 억제시켰다. 하지만 PEITC는 TLR agonists들인 LPS, Poly[I:C], 2 kDa macrophage-activating lipopeptide (MALP-2), oligodeoxynucleotide 1668 (ODN1668)에 의한 COX-2 발현은 억제시키지 못하였다. 즉 PEITC가 TRIF-dependent 신호전달체계만을 조절하여 TRIF-dependent 신호전달체계에 의해 조절되는 iNOS는 억제하지만 MyD88-dependent 신호전달 체계에 의해 조절되는 COX-2는 억제하지 못한다는 것을 설명해준다. 이러한 결과는 iNOS와 COX-2가 서로 다른 메커니즘에 의해 조절된다는 것을 암시하며, PEITC가 여러 병원균들로부터 유도되는 염증반응이나 만성적인 질병들을 조절할 수 있음을 제시하는 중요한 결과이다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.371-376
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• 2002

The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily. It plays a critical role in osteoclast differentiaion, lymph node organogenesis, and mammary gland development. The stimulation of RANK causes the activation of transcription factors NF-${\kappa}B$ and activator protein 1 (AP1), and the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In the signal transduction of RANK, the recruitment of the adaptor molecules, TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs), is and initial cytoplasmic event. Recently, the association of the MAPK kinase kinase, transforming growth factor-$\beta$-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), with TRAF6 was shown to mediate the IL-1 signaling to NF-${\kappa}B$ and JNK. We investigated whether or not TAK1 plays a role in RANK signaling. A dominant-negative form of TAK1 was discovered to abolish the RANK-induced activation of AP1 and JNK. The AP1 activation by TRAF2, TRAF5, and TRAF6 was also greatly suppressed by the dominant-negative TAK1. the inhibitory effect of the TAK1 mutant on RANK-and TRAF-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation was also observed, but less efficiently. Our findings indicate that TAK1 is involved in the MAPK cascade and NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway that is activated by RANK.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.7-16
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• 2019

Objectives : Hemistepta lyrata Bunge (Bunge) has been used for treating wound, hemorrhage, fever in Korean traditional medicine. Present study investigated anti-inflammatory effect of H. lyrata chloroform extract (HLE) and its molecular mechanism involved. Methods : To assess anti-inflammatory effect of HLE, production of nitric oxide (NO) and expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling pathway was examined to elucidate its molecular mechanism. Results : Pretreatment of HLE inhibited NO production in a concentration dependent manner. HLE also decreased expression of iNOS and COX-2, and alleviated expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, HLE pretreatment inhibited phosphorylation of inhibitory-${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and p65. Conclusions : These results suggest that HLE exhibits anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.310-319
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• 2003

Inflammatory mediators has been recognized as an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-17 is increasingly recognized as an important regulator of immune and inflammatory responses, including induction of proinflammatory cytokines and osteoclastic bone resorption. Evidence of the expression and proinflammatory activity of IL-17 has been demonstrated in RA synovium and in animal models of RA. However, the signaling pathways that regulate IL-17 production remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway in the regulation of IL-17 production in RA. PBMC were separated from RA (n=24) patients, and stimulated with various agents (anti CD3, anti CD28, PHA, ConA, IL-15). IL-17 levels were determined by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. The production of IL-17 was significantly increased in cells treated with anti-CD3 antibody, PHA, IL-15 or MCP-1 (P<0.05). ConA also strongly induced IL-17 production (P<0.001), whereas TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-18 or TGF-beta did not. IL-17 was detected in the PBMC of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) but their expression levels were much lower than those of RA PBMC. Anti-CD3 antibody activated the PI3K-Akt pathway and activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway resulted in a pronounced augmentation of nuclear factor kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$). IL-17 production by activated PBMC in RA is completely or partially blocked in the presence of $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor PDTC and PI3K-Akt inhibitor, wortmannin and LY294002, respectively. Whereas the inhibition of AP-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 did not affect IL-17 production. These results provide new insight into that PI3K/Akt and $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent signal transduction pathway could be involved in the overproduction of key inflammatory cytokine, IL-17 in rheumatoid arthritis.