• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.115-115
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• 2019

Arctium minus (AM), commonly known as lesser burdock, is a dried fruit (seed) of Aructium lappa L. that belong to Asteraceae. It has been used traditionally as herbal medicine because of its anti-inflammatory effects, and it has been applied to treat various diseases like allergies, skin aging, hyperlipidemia and urinary stone. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of AM on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Pre-treatment of the RAW 264.7 cells with AM considerably inhibited and reduced production of Nitric Oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and also shows suppression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) translocation. In addition, AM treatment considerably reduced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Our results indicate that the AM has potential to inhibit inflammation through suppressing production of inflammatory mediators via both the NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPK signaling pathway. We therefore suggest that AM might be effective therapeutics for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.274-279
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• 2015

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) is a critical factor in osteoclastogenesis. It makes osteoclasts differentiate and multinucleate in bone remodeling. In the present study, RANKL was expressed as a soluble maltose binding protein (MBP)-fusion protein using the Escherichia coli maltose binding domain tag system (pMAL) expression vector system. The host cell E. coli DH5α was cultured and induced by isopropyl β-_D-1-thiogalactopyranoside for rRANKL expression. Cells were disrupted by sonication to collect soluble MBP-fused rRANKL. The MBP-fusion rRANKL was purified with MBP Trap affinity chromatography and treated with Tobacco Etch Virus nuclear inclusion endopeptidase (TEV protease) to remove the MBP fusion protein. Dialysis was then carried out to remove binding maltose from the cleaved rRANKL solution. The cleaved rRANKL was purified with a second MBP Trap affinity chromatography to separate unsevered MBP-fusion rRANKL and cleaved MBP fusion protein. The purified rRANKL was shown to have biological activity by performing in vitro cell tests. In conclusion, biologically active rRANKL was successfully purified by a simple two-step chromatography purification process with one column.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.298-306
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• 2017

Background: Compound K (CK) is a bioactive derivative of ginsenoside Rb1 in Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng). Its biological and pharmacological activities have been studied in various disease conditions, although its immunomodulatory role in innate immunity mediated by monocytes/macrophages has been poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of CK on cellular events mediated by monocytes and macrophages in innate immune responses. Methods: The immunomodulatory role of CK was explored by various immunoassays including cell-cell adhesion, fibronectin adhesion, cell migration, phagocytic uptake, costimulatory molecules, reactive oxygen species production, luciferase activity, and by the measurement of mRNA levels of proinflammatory genes. Results: Compound K induced cell cluster formation through cell-cell adhesion, cell migration, and phagocytic activity, but it suppressed cell-tissue interactions in U937 and RAW264.7 cells. Compound K also upregulated the surface expression of the cell adhesion molecule cluster of differentiation (CD) 43 (CD43) and costimulatory molecules CD69, CD80, and CD86, but it downregulated the expression of monocyte differentiation marker CD82 in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, CK induced the release of reactive oxygen species and induced messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory genes, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by enhancing the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activities of nuclear factor kappa-B and activator protein-1. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CK has an immunomodulatory role in innate immune responses through regulating various cellular events mediated by monocytes and macrophages.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2021

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-known traditional medicine, with numerous biological functions in the body. Portulaca oleracea (P. ole) belongs to the Portulacaceae family and has bioactive potential as a traditional medicine. This study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) and P. ole extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. The combination of RGE (50 ㎍/mL) and P. ole (6.25 ㎍/mL) extracts significantly suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide synthesis. The expression of proinflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, were markedly decreased by the combined treatment with RGE (50 ㎍/mL) and P. ole (6.25 ㎍/mL). Moreover, iNOS and COX-2 protein expression levels were also significantly reduced in the combined treatment compared to the LPS-stimulated group. In addition, the nuclear translocation of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B was suppressed by the treatment with RGE and P. ole. Moreover, the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway was also partially inhibited by the combination treatment with RGE and P. ole. Our results demonstrate that the treatment mixture with RGE and P. ole could be used as functional food and therapeutic herbal medicine in various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.311-320
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• 2016

Kava (Piper methysticum, P. methysticum) is used as traditional herbal medicine for urogenital diseases, rheumatisms, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory irritations, and pulmonary pains. We identified a flavokavain C (FKC) from P. methysticum, which showed anti-inflammatory activity on nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$)-dependent nitric oxide (NO) production and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. FKC inhibited accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide, and was able to dose-dependently reduce the LPS-induced NO production and the expression of various inflammation-associated genes (iNOS, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) through inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs (ERK and JNK). In conclusion, these results indicate that FKC may have the potential to prevent inflammation process including NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs pathways, and it could be applicable to functional cosmetics for anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties.

• 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.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.442-451
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum miyabei Yendo ethanol extract (SMYEE) using RAW 264.7 cells and croton oil-induced Balb/c mice. SMYEE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$] and nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. In addition, SMYEE suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor-kappa B. Further, SMYEE inhibited the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extra cellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. In ear edema test, edema formation in the SMYEE treatment was lower than that in the positive control and was similar to that in the prednisolone treatment group. Photomicrographs of mice ear tissue showed a reduction in dermal thickness and number of infiltrated mast cells. Therefore, our results indicate that SMYEE exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of nuclear factor ${NF}-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK activation and can be used as a natural source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2007

Background: Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1 is a potent chemoattractant for activated T cells into the inflamed Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium. To determine the effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) on the production of SDF-1 in the inflamed RA synovium. Methods: The expression of SDF-1 and MIF in RA and Osteoarthritis (OA) synovium was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The SDF-1 was quantified by RT-PCR and ELISA after RA fibroblast like synoviocyte (FLS) were treated with MIF in the presence and absence of inhibitors of intracellular signal molecules. The synovial fluid (SF) and serum levels of MIF and SDF-1 in RA, OA and healthy control were measured by ELISA. Results: Expression of SDF-1 and MIF in synovium was higher in RA patients than in OA patients. The production of SDF-1 was enhanced in RA FLS by MIF stimulation. Such effect of MIF was blocked by the inhibitors of NF-${\kappa}B$. Concentrations of SDF-1 in the serum and SF were higher in RA patients than in OA patients and healthy control. SDF-1 and MIF was overexpressed in RA FLS, and MIF could up-regulate the production of SDF-1 in RA FLS via NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated pathways. Conclusion: These results suggest that an inhibition of interaction between MIF from T cells and SDF-1 of FLS may provide a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of RA.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.138-147
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• 2003

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which Chelidonium majus (CM) regulates nitric oxide (NO) production. Methods : Using mouse peritoneal macrophages, the mechanism by which CM regulates NO or tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ production was examined. NO release was measured by the Griess method. $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was measured by the ELISA method. The protein extracts were prepared and samples were analyzed for the inducible NOS(iNOS) expression and nuclear factor kappa $B(NF-{\kappa}B)$ activation by Western blotting. Results : When CM was used in combination with recombinant $interferon-{\gamma}{\;}(rIFN-{\gamma})$, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production. CM had an effect on NO production by itself. The expression of the iNOS gene was increased in $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus CM-stimulated peritoneal macrophages and almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of $NF-{\kappa}B$. The $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation was increased in rIFN-{\gamma} plus CM-induced peritoneal macrophages. The increased production of NO from $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus CM-stimulated peritoneal rnacrophages was decreased by the treatment with $N^{G}-monomethyl-{_L}-arginine{\;}(N^{G}MMA){\;}N^{\alpha}-Tosyl-Phe$ chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) , and was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with PDTC. Furthermore, treatment with CM alone or rIFN-{\gamma} plus CM in peritoneal macrophages caused a significant increase in $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. PDTC decreased CM-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ production significantly. After CM treatment in HT-29 or AGS cells, cell viability decreased. Conclusions : These findings demonstrate that CM increases the production of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}{\;}by{\;}rIFN-{\gamma}-primed$ macrophages and suggest that NF-B plays a critical role in mediating these effects of CM.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.549-555
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• 2023

Hijikia fusiforme (HF), a member of brown algae family, exerts various pharmacological effects, including preventing arteriosclerosis and menopausal disorders. This study aimed to elucidate the ameliorative effect of HF on skin inflammation. We investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of HF extract to evaluate its potential as a functional materials. The antioxidant activity of HF was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) scavenging and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) scavenging. To determine the pharmacological mechanism of HF in inflammatory reaction, we evaluated the effects of HF on interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in activated- human mast cells (HMC)-1. Results showed that HF had the high DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, and it suppressed IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-α production in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, HF significantly ameliorated NF-kB activation in activated-HMC-1. Hence, these results provide evidence that HF's potential for skin inflammation therapy.