• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.337-347
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 are directly associated with hyper-activation of innate immune response that excessively produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and induce cytokine storm, leading to multi-organ-failure and significant morbidity/mortality. Currently, several antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and molnupiravir are authorized to treat mild to moderate COVID-19, however, there are still no drugs that can specifically fight against challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant widely used for treating various conditions, might be appropriate for this need due to its anti-inflammatory/cytokine/viral activities, fewer side effects, and cost efficiency. To review Panax ginseng and its pharmacologically active-ingredients as potential phytopharmaceuticals for treating cytokine storm of COVID-19, articles that reporting its positive effects on the cytokine production were searched from academic databases. Experimental/clinical evidences for the effectiveness of Panax ginseng and its active-ingredients in preventing or mitigating cytokine storm, especially for the cascade of cytokine storm, suggest that they might be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for cytokine storm of COVID-19. This review may provide a new approach to discover specific medications using Panax ginseng to control cytokine storm of COVID-19.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제60권3호
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• pp.199-205
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• 2017

To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of natural products, we determined the anti-inflammatory activity of purified epigallocatechin (EGC) from Camellia sinensis leaves. In the present study, we found that EGC inhibited the production of proinflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NO, and $PGE_2$) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Suppression of IL-6 seems to be at least partly attributable to the inhibitory effect of EGC. TNF-${\alpha}$ is a major cytokine produced by LPS-induced macrophages, and they have a wide variety of biological functions including regulation of inflammation. The inhibition of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production by EGC may downregulate the acute-phase response to LPS, thereby reducing LPS-induced inflammation. In addition to IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$, EGC effectively reduced the production of other key inflammatory mediators, including NO and $PGE_2$. The inhibitory effect of EGC on NO and $PGE_2$ production was supported by the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and COX-2 at protein levels. These results support the traditional use of EGC in the alleviation of various inflammation-associated diseases and suggest that EGC might be useful in the development of new functional foods for inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.511-520
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• 2008

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of metabolic disorders manifested by abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood. Mounting evidence demonstrates that diabetes is a risk factor for gingivitis and periodontitis. The circulating mononuclear phagocytes in diabetic patients with hyperglycemia are chronically exposed to high level of serum glucose. Thus, this study attempted to determine the effect of pre-exposure of monocytes and macrophages to high concentration of glucose on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Material and Methods: For this purpose, cells were cultured in medium containing normal (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) for 4-5 weeks before treatment for 24 h with LPS. LPS was highly purified from Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia by phenol extraction. Result: Results showed that prolonged pre-exposure of cells to high glucose markedly increased LPS-stimulated NO secretion when compared to normal glucose. In addition to NO, high glucose also augmented LPS-stimulated IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-$\alpha$ secretion after cells were exposed to high glucose for 4 weeks. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that pre-exposure of mononuclear phagocytes with high glucose augments LPS-stimulated production of pro-inflammatory mediators. These findings may explain why periodontal tissue destruction in diabetic patients is more severe than that in non-diabetic individuals.

• 융합정보논문지
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.290-297
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• 2022

본 연구에서는 단삼 뿌리 추출물의 세포 안정성, 수렴 활성, NO 소거능, iNOS 단백질 발현량, 염증성 cytokine 분비, elastase 효소 저해능, type I pro-collagen 합성능 등을 조사하여 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 가능성을 평가하고자 하였다. 단삼 80% 에탄올추출물(SE)과 열수추출물(SW)을 대상으로 NHDF 및 RAW264.7 세포에서 0.05~0.5 mg/mL 농도 처리에 따른 독성을 보이지 않아 수렴, 염증, 주름 개선 효능을 진행하였다. 그 결과 수렴활성 측정 결과 SE는 10 mg/mL에서 74.6%의 활성을 나타냈다. SE는 농도 의존적으로 LPS에 의해 유도된 NO, iNOS 단백질, TNF-α 및 IL-6 cytokine의 생성을 유의미하게 감소시켰다. 게다가 SE와 SW는 elastase 효소 활성을 억제할 뿐만 아니라 TNF-α에 의해 감소된 pro-collagen의 생성을 증가시켰다. 따라서 단삼 에탄올추출물은 수렴제, 염증 관련 피부 질환, 주름 생성을 효과적으로 예방할 수 있는 천연 화장품 소재로서의 활용 가능성이 높을 것으로 기대된다.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.334-347
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• 2008

Background and Objective : Haeyeol-tang, composed of Houttuyniae Herba, Lonicerae Flos, Taraxaci Herba, and Scrophulariae Radix, is widely used for alleviating the symptom of various kinds of inflammatory pulmonary disease, including asthma and COPD. We want to know whether Haeyeol-tang has an anti-inflammatory effect by analyzing expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Materials and Methods : We differentiated the THP-1 cells into macrophage-like cells by treatment with PMA. Inflammation was induced by treatment with LPS and PMA. We found the safe concentration of Haeyeol-tang by using MTS assay and used PD98059 as a negative control for comparison of anti-inflammatory effect of Haeyeol-tang. Results : The RT-PCR analysis results show that the cell survival rate is over 100% within 1 ng/mL to 1 ug/mL of Haeyeol-tang and begins to decrease under 100% at 10 ug/mL. The gene expression of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $TGF-{\beta}$ levels were down-regulated when Haeyeol-tang was treated at concentrations between 1 ng/mL an 1 ug/mL on monocyte-derived macrophages. Interestingly, 1 ug/mL Haeyeol-tang-treated samples showed that the transcriptional activities of IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}$ were more down-regulated than those of PD098059 $(TNF-{\alpha}$ inhibitor). At protein level, the ELISA analysis results showed that there were more remarkable (p<0.001) decreases in expression of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ on both the 1 ug/mL Haeyeol-tang-treated group and the PD98059-treated group than the LPS-treated group. Conclusion : We conclude that Haeyeol-tang has an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines at mRNA and protein levels. These results may provide us a promising way to care for general inflammatory diseases as well as inflammatory pulmonary disease, including asthma and COPD, with further clinical study.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권11호
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• pp.545-546
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• 2018

With emerging evidence on the importance of non-cell autonomous toxicity in neurodegenerative diseases, therapeutic strategies targeting modulation of key immune cells. including microglia and Treg cells, have been designed for treatment of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. Strategy switching the patient's environment from a pro-inflammatory toxic to an anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective condition, could be potential therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) regulate innate and adaptive immune cells, through release of soluble factors such as $TGF-{\beta}$ and elevation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper-2 cells (Th2 cells), would play important roles, in the neuroprotective effect on motor neuronal cell death mechanisms in ALS. Single cycle of repeated intrathecal injections of BM-MSCs demonstrated a clinical benefit lasting at least 6 months, with safety, in ALS patients. Cytokine profiles of CSF provided evidence that BM-MSCs, have a role in switching from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory conditions. Inverse correlation of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and MCP-1 levels, could be a potential biomarker to responsiveness. Thus, additional cycles of BM-MSC treatment are required, to confirm long-term efficacy and safety.

• 생약학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.286-290
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• 2013

This study was carried out to the determine the effects of the water extract of Viticis Fructus (Verbenaceae, WEVF) on experimental allergic reactions and inflammation. WEVF was anally administered to mice for high and fast absorption. WEVF inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated local allergic reaction. Histamine releasing from mast cells was reduced by WEVF, which was mediated by modulation of intracellular calcium. In addition, WEVF decreased the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated HMC-1 cells. These findings demonstrate that the WEVF possesses antiallergic and anti-inflammatory activities, which may be mediated by reducing the release of mediators such as histamine from mast cells and weakening the inflammatory action of these mediators.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.120-124
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• 2022

Actinidia polygama has long been used in traditional Korean medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Although numerous chemical compounds in the fruit extracts of A. polygama have been characterized and their role in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production has been reported, the anti-inflammatory properties of A. polygama extracts remain to be explored. In this study, we investigated the in-vivo effect of A. polygama extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in BV-2 microglial cell lines. We discovered that 100% ethyl alcohol extract of A. polygama effectively attenuates the release of NO and is superior to both water extract and 50% ethanol extract. Using MTT assay, western blot, and ELISA on LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells lines, we established the ability of A. polygama extract to markedly suppress the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6. These results reveal that the anti-inflammatory property of A. polygama in BV-2 microglial cells is due to the downregulation of iNOS, COX-2, MAPK protein, and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• 한국융합학회논문지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.295-300
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• 2021

본 연구는 Celeriac Extract의 전 염증성 사이토카인의 생성 억제에 미치는 영향을 살펴보고 억제 정도를 확인하기 위하여 실시되었다. 염증은 전 염증성 사이토카인인 TNF-α나 IL-6, IL-1β 및 활성산소와 같은 매개인자에 의해 나타난다. 이에 RAW264.7 세포에 lipopolysaccharide(LPS) 로 자극하여 생성된 TNF-α나 IL-6, IL-1β과 같은 전염증성 사이토카인과 NO 같은 활성산소에 대한 Celeriac Extract(1ug/mL, 10ug/mL, 100ug/mL)의 영향을 살펴보았다. 그 결과 Celeriac Extract은 세포 독성 없이 TNF-α나 IL-6의 생성과 NO생성을 유의성 있게 저해하였다. 따라서 이러한 결과는 셀러리악 추출물이 전 염증성 사이토카인 및 NO 생성을 억제하여 염증 반응을 약화시킬 수 있음을 시사한다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.164-173
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hyperglycemia is a major cause of diabetes and diabetesrelated diseases. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a short-chain fatty acid derivative that produces dietary fiber by anaerobic bacterial fermentation in the large intestine and occurs in foods, such as Parmesan cheese and butter. Butyrate has been shown to prevent obesity, improve insulin sensitivity, and ameliorate dyslipidemia in diet-induced obese mice. Therefore, this study examined the effects and mechanism of NaB on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines induced by high glucose (HG) in THP-1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: THP-1 cells were used as an in vitro model for HG-induced inflammation. The cells were cultured under normal glycemic or hyperglycemic conditions with or without NaB (0-25 μM). Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, acetylated p65, acetyl CREB-binding protein/p300 (CBP/p300), and p300 using THP-1 cells. Histone acetyltransferase (HAT), histone deacetylase (HDAC), and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion activity were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: HG significantly upregulated histone acetylation, acetylation levels of p300, NF-κB activation, and inflammatory cytokine release in THP-1 cells. Conversely, the NaB treatment reduced cytokine release and NF-κB activation in HG-treated cells. It also significantly reduced p65 acetylation, CBP/p300 HAT activity, and CBP/p300 gene expression. In addition, NaB decreased the interaction of p300 in acetylated NF-κB and TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NaB suppresses HG-induced inflammatory cytokine production through HAT/HDAC regulation in monocytes. NaB has the potential for preventing and treating diabetes and its related complications.