• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1106-1115
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• 2009

Mori Ramulus has multiple applications in Korean traditional medicine prescription because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing macrophage activities. Yet, no studies on the anti-arthritic activity of EMR (extract of Mori Ramulus) have been reported in vitro and in vivo. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation characterized by hyperplasia of synovial cells in affected joints, which ultimately leads to the destruction of cartilage and bone. Because collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is similar to RA in pathological symptoms and immune reactions, there have been several reports concerning RA using CIA mouse model. Here, we investigated the effects of Mori Ramulus on RA using CIA mice. The importance of CD4+ Th1 cells in RA progress was previously indicated and studies further showed that Th17 cells play a prime role in severity of disease. Accordingly, the present study was focused on CIA associated with CD4+ Th1 cells and Th1 7 cells. DBA/1OlaHsd mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (CII). After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with EMR once a day for 4 weeks. The severity of arthritis within the paw joints was evaluated by histological assessment of cartilage destruction and pannus formation. Immune cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), draining lymph node (DLN) and paw joints, cytokine production and gene expression were assessed from CIA mouse using ELISA, FACS and real-time PCR analysis. Administration of EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and inhibited the production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-17 in the serum. The erosion of cartilage was dramatically reduced in mouse knees after treatment with EMR. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and that this action was mediated by the decreased production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-17 and collagen II-specific antibody in the serum. EMR suppressed Th17 cells and reduced level of IL-6 via B cell suppression, and thus, the levels of autoantibodies produced from B cells were decreased. Furthermore, EMR suppressed NKT cells which directly stimulate B cells and develop imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell. Oral administration of EMR (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, which is comparable to that of methotrexate (MTX, 0.3 mg/kg) used as a positive control. We are currently studying the mechanism underlying the therapeutic role for EMR in CIA mice.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.330-333
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• 2015

This study was carried out to compare the anti-inflammation effects of various fruiting body of Ganoderma species and Cordyceps militaris, Phelinus linteus extracts. We concentrated Ganoderma species and other medicinal mushrooms by extracting with ethanol. And We made it $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. As a result of nitrite scavenging activity, in the contrast to the positive control; Ascorbic acid was 25%, ASI 7080 of Ganoderma species was disappeared up to around 40%. And in the contrast to Ascorbic acid was 55%, ASI 7002 was 78.5% that was the highest anti-inflammation effect in the result of "No assay test". The Cordyceps militaris showed 75% and Hericium erinaceus showed 59.7% of anti-inflammation effect. As a result of the fungus yield control test of $TNF-{\alpha}$ through ELISA method to ASI 7002 of Ganoderma species that showed the highest anti-inflammation, it was reduced as same as LPS non-treatment. We extracted RNA from ASI 7002 Ganoderma species 10, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration and LPS $10{\mu}g/ml$ of Raw 264.7 cell. And we tested the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-a that are kinds of inflammation gene after synthesizing RNA with cDNA. Finally we could find that iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-a were all controlled expression in the result of above experiment.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-190
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• 2004

Background: Secretory phospholipase $A_2$ ($sPLA_2$) are a group of extracellular enzymes that release fatty acids at the sn-2 position of phospholipids. Group IIA $sPLA_2$ ($sPLA_2$-IIA) has been detected in the inflammatory fluids, and its plasma level increases in the inflammatory disease. This study examined the effect of $sPLA_2$-IIA on mouse macropahges in order to investigate the potential mechanism of $sPLA_2$-induced inflammation. Materials and Methods: Wild type $PLA_2$ and mutant H48Q $PLA_2$ were purified from HEK293 cells transfected with the corresponding plasmids, and the $PLA_2$ activities were measured using 1-palmitoyl-2-[1-$^{14}C$]linoleoyl-3-phosphatidylethanolamine as substrates. The TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 released in the supernatants were determined by ELISA. In addition, the TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results: $sPLA_2$-IIA stimulated the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the effect of $sPLA_2$-IIA on cytokine production from the macrophage was found to be associated with the accumulation of their specific mRNA. The mRNA levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 peaked at 2 and 6 hours in a time-dependent manner, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, the production of proinflammatory cytokine might be mediated by the binding of $sPLA_2$-IIA to the receptors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7169-7174
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• 2014

Background: NPAS2 is a product of the circadian clock gene. It acts as a putative tumor suppressor by playing an important role in DNA damage responses, cell cycle control and apoptosis. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) appears to be an apoptosis related disorder and alteration in the NPAS2 gene might therefore be directly involved in the etiology of CLL. Here, the Ala394Thr polymorphism (rs2305160:G>A) in the NPAS2 gene was genotyped and melatonin concentrations were measured in a total of seventy-four individuals, including thirty-seven CLL cases and an equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls in order to examine the effect of NPAS2 polymorphism and melatonin concentrations on CLL risk in a Pakistani population. Materials and Methods: Genotyping of rs2305160:G>A polymorphism at NPAS2 locus was carried out by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Melatonin concentrations were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results: Our results demonstrated no association of the variant Thr genotypes (Ala/Thr and Thr/Thr) with risk of CLL. Similarly, no association of rs2305160 with CLL was observed in either females or males after stratification of study population on a gender basis. Moreover, when the subjects with CLL were further stratified into shift-workers and non-shift-workers, no association of rs2305160 with CLL was seen in either case. However, significantly low serum melatonin levels were observed in CLL patients as compared to healthy subjects (p<0.05). Also, lower melatonin levels were seen in shift-workers as compared to non-shift-workers (p<0.05). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the melatonin levels across NPAS2 genotypes in all subjects, subjects with CLL who were either shift workers or non-shift-workers. General Linear Model (GLM) univariate analysis revealed no significant association (p>0.05) of the rs2305160 polymorphism of the NPAS2 gene with melatonin levels in any of the groups. Conclusions: While low melatonin levels and shift-work can be considered as one of the risk factors for CLL, the NPAS2 rs2305160 polymorphism does not appear to have any association with risk of CLL in our Pakistani population.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.421-428
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• 2014

In general, Reucedani Radix (Peucedanum japonicum Thunbergis: PJ) is the Korean traditional herbal medicine used to remove dampness, to relieve pain, and spasm. So, PJ folium is believed to have the same effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the alleviation of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced ulcerative colitis in mice by PJ folium. 25 mice were divided into 5 groups: normal, DSS, DSS + 100 mg/kg PJ folium (PJ100), DSS + 500 mg/kg PJ folium (PJ500), and DSS + 150 mg/kg 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA) groups. Body weights, colon lengths, histological changes in colon tissue, and spleen weights were observed. Inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ level in plasma were measured by ELISA. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-a mRNA expression in colon tissue were detected by RT-PCR. In the results, body weight lose was inhibited in PJ100, PJ500, and 5-ASA groups, but it was not different compared with DSS group, significantly. PJ500 group showed the preventive effects of colon length shorten and histological changes in colon tissues as good as 5-ASA group. The weight of spleen was increased in DSS group but it reduced in PJ100, PJ500, and 5-ASA groups. Moreover, IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ cytokine levels in plasma were reduced in PJ500 and 5-ASA groups. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-a mRNA expression in colon tissue were inhibited in PJ100, PJ500, and 5-ASA groups and it was significantly different compared with DSS group. In conclusion, PJ folium showed the alleviative effect on DSS induced ulcerative colitis in mice.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-34
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• 2013

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of immune reaction inductive substances such as PMA, LPS, DPE, DNCB and WP, the whitman pigra extracting substance at simultaneously on the translocation of $NF{\kappa}B$ towards to the nucleus and the mRNA expression patterns of various cytokine genes in THP-1 cells, monocytes of human. Methods : To analyze the cytokine genes expressions, the RT-PCR method was used, and measuring TNF-${\alpha}$ that had been secreted during cell culture by the ELISA method. The morphological changes were observed during THP-1 cell by a scanning electron microscope and the quantitative distribution of $NF{\kappa}B$ in the cell that was analyzed through immunocytochemistry and a confocal microscopy. Results : WP showed different influences onto the mRNA expression patterns of cytokine genes with PMA, LPS. DPE and DNCB according to the types of immune inductive substances in the THP-1 cells. Upon treating PMA and DPE on the THP-1 cells at the same time or either additionally treating WP thereon, the movement of $NF{\kappa}B$ increase towards the nucleus from cell cytoplasm was able to be observed. The expressions of IL-$1{\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$ induced by PMA and PMA+DNCB were suppressed by WP while the expression of TGF-${\beta}$ was promoted. Regarding the secretion pattern of TNF-${\alpha}$ according to the treatment of PMA, its secretion amount was incredibly increased by concurrent treatment of WP, however, in case of co-treatment of WP with PMA and DNCB, it was found that the secretion amount of TNF-${\alpha}$ decreased. Conclusions : In this study, the WP extracting substance was confirmed that it had an influence on expression patterns of cytokine genes according to the actions of a variety kinds of immune reaction inductive substances treated on the THP-1 cells. Especially, WP co-treatment with PMA and DNCB was suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-$1{\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.1097-1101
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• 2010

The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of a vegetable soup (VS). The present study was designed to determine the effect of the vegetable soup on pro-inflammatory factors such as NO, iNOS and TNF-$\alpha$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The cell toxicity was determined by MTS assay. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of vegetable soup, amount of NO was measured using the NO detection kit and the iNOS expression was measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Also, proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The results showed that the vegetable soup reduced NO, iNOS and TNF-$\alpha$ production without cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that the vegetable soup may have an anti-inflammatory property through suppressing inflammatory mediator productions and appears to be useful to develop the functional food realted to anti-inflammation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5557-5563
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• 2015

Background: Cholelithiasis is associated in 54%-98% of patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder, and a high incidence among females suggests a role of female hormones in the etiology of the disease. Cytochrome $P450C17{\alpha}$ (CYP-17) is a key enzyme involved in estrogen metabolism and polymorphisms in CYP-17 are associated with altered serum levels of estrogens. Thus, we investigated whether the CYP-17 MspA1 gene polymorphism might impact on risk of gall bladder cancers or gallstones, as well as to determine if this gene polymorphism might be linked with estrogen serum levels and lipid profile among the North Indian gall bladder cancer or gallstone patients. Materials and Methods: CYP-17 gene polymorphisms (MspA1) were genotyped with PCR-RFLP in cancer patients (n=96), stone patients (n=102), cancer + stone patients (n=52) and age/sex matched control subjects (n= 256). Lipid profile was estimated using a commercial kit and serum estrogen was measured using ELISA. Results: The majority of the patients in all groups were females. The lipid profile and estrogen level were significantly higher among the study as compared to control groups. The frequency of mutant allele A2 of CYP17 MspA1 gene polymorphism was higher among cancer (OR=5.13, 95% CI+3.10-8.51, p=0.0001), stone (OR=5.69, 95%CI=3.46-9.37, p=0.0001) and cancer + stone (OR=3.54, 95%CI=1.90-6.60, p=0.0001) when compared with the control group. However there was no significant association between genotypes of CYP17 MspA1 gene polymorphism and circulating serum level of estrogen and lipid profile. Conclusions: A higher frequency of mutant genotype A1A2 as well as mutant allele A2 of CYP-17 gene polymorphism is significantly associated with risk of gallbladder cancer and stones. Elevated levels of estrogen and an altered lipid profile can be used as predictors ofgall bladder stones and cancer in post menopausal females in India.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8815-8822
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• 2014

Background: The incidence of stomach cancer in India is highest in the state of Mizoram. In this population based matched case-control study, we evaluated the relationship between CYP450 2E1 RsaI polymorphism and risk of stomach cancer taking into considering various important dietary habits along with tobacco, alcohol consumption and H. pylori infection status. Materials and Methods: A total of 105 histologically confirmed stomach cancer cases and 210 matched healthy population controls were recruited. CYP2E1 RsaI genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP and H. pylori infection status by ELISA. Information on various dietary, tobacco and alcohol habits was recorded in a standard questionnaire. Results: Our study revealed no significant association between the CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism and overall risk of stomach cancer in Mizoram. However, we observed a non-significant protective effect of the variant allele (A) of CYP2E1 against stomach cancer. Tobacco smokers carrying C/C genotype have three times more risk of stomach cancer, as compared to non-smokers carrying C/C genotype. Both Meiziol and cigarette current and past smokers who smoked for more than 10 times per day and carrying the (C/C) genotype are more prone to develop stomach cancer. Smoke dried fish and preserved meat (smoked/sun dried) consumers carrying C/C genotype possesses higher risk of stomach cancer. No significant association between H. pylori infection and CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism in terms of stomach cancer was observed. Conclusions: Although no direct association between the CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism and stomach cancer was observed, relations with different tobacco and dietary risk habits in terms of developing stomach cancer exist in this high risk population of north-eastern part of India. Further in-depth study recruiting larger population is required to shed more light on this important problem.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5825-5831
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• 2013

Background/Objectives: Maintenance of cellular function in culture is vital for transfer and development following adoptive immunotherapy. Dual properties of IL-21 in activating T cells and reducing activation induced cell death led us to explore the mechanism of action of IL-21 enhanced proliferation and cytotoxic potential of CIK cells. Method: CIK cells cultured from PBMCs of healthy subjects were stimulated with IL-21 and cellular viability and cytotoxicity to K562 cells were measured. To elucidate the mechanism of action of IL-21, mRNA expression of cytotoxic factors was assessed by RT-PCR and protein expression of significantly important cytotoxic factors and cytokine secretion were determined through flow cytometry and ELISA. Western blotting was performed to check the involvement of the JAK/STAT pathway following stimulation. Results: We found that IL-21 did not enhance in vitro proliferation of CIK cells, but did increase the number of cells expressing the CD3+/CD56+ phenotype. Cytotoxic potential was increased with corresponding increase in perforin ($0.9831{\pm}0.1265$ to $0.7592{\pm}0.1457$), granzyme B ($0.4084{\pm}0.1589$ to $0.7319{\pm}0.1639$) and FasL ($0.4015{\pm}0.2842$ to $0.7381{\pm}0.2568$). Interferon gamma and TNF-alpha were noted to increase ($25.8{\pm}6.1ng/L$ to $56.0{\pm}2.3ng/L$; and $5.64{\pm}0.61{\mu}g/L$ to $15.14{\pm}0.93{\mu}g/L$, respectively) while no significant differences were observed in the expression of granzyme A, TNF-alpha and NKG2D, and NKG2D. We further affirmed that IL-21 signals through the STAT-3 and STAT-5b signaling pathway in the CIK cell pool. Conclusion: IL-21 enhances cytotoxic potential of CIK cells through increasing expression of perforin, granzyme B, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. The effect is brought about by the activation of STAT-3 and STAT-5b proteins.