• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.796-804
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• 2011

Microglia are central nervous system (CNS)-resident professional macrophages that function as the principal immune cells responding to pathological stimulations in the CNS. Activation of microglia, induced by various pathogens, protects neurons and maintains homeostasis in the CNS, but severe activation causes inflammatory responses secreting various neurotoxic molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Allium fistulosum, a member of the onion family, is mainly cultivated for consumption, as well as medicinal use in Oriental medicine. It has been reported that A. fistulosum has various biological effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-fungus and anti-cholesterol synthesis, however there has been no research about the anti-inflammatory effects of A. fistulosum extracts. In this study, it was undertaken to explore the functions of A. fistulosum as a suppressor of neuronal inflammation by using BV2 microglia cells. As a result, it was found that four kinds of extracts of A. fistulosum effectively reduced the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at both mRNA and protein levels, and also attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at the mRNA level in BV2 stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the extracts of A. fistulosum attenuated the release of NO markedly, as well as resulting in slight decreases of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production, the effects of which were most significant when treated with ethyl alcohol extract from the whole A. fistulosum. In conclusion, the data indicated that the anti-inflammatory actions of A. fistulosum against BV2 microglia cells is through the down-regulation of iNOS, COX2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, and these effects are expected to help in the protection of nerve tissues by suppressions of neuronal inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.147-155
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• 2008

In previous works, we found that solvent extract of Opuntia humifusa Raf., a member of the lactaceae family, displayed potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, all solvent fractions, except for the water layer, showed potent scavenging effects. According to activity-guided fractionation, one of active radical scavenging principles in the ethyl acetate fraction was found to be taxifolin. In this study, we investigated whether taxifolin showed anti-oxidative activity. In addition, taxifolin modulated nitric oxide (NO) release and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA such as interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and TNF-${\alpha}$. Taxifolin showed potent anti-oxidant activity with the $IC_{50}\;of\;8.5{\pm}1.4\;and\;9.3{\pm}1.0{\mu}M$ using xanthine/xanthine oxidase (XO) assay and 2,2-Diphenyl-lpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay, respectively. We next determined the role of taxifolin on the immunomodulating activity using murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells. Taxifolin dose-dependently inhibited NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7. It also significantly blocked the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, taxifolin potently suppressed the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and GM-CSF mRNA in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells, but not that of TNF-${\alpha}$ Moreover, taxifolin significantly inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and activator protein -1 (AP-1). These results suggest that taxifolin may downregulate inflammatory iNOS, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and GM-CSF gene expressions through inhibition of NF-K and AP-1 activation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2023

Myriophyllum spicatum L. has been used as an ornamental in ponds and aquariums, and as a folk remedy for inflammation and pus. Nevertheless, the biological activity and underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects are unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Myriophyllum spicatum L. (EMS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Antioxidant activity of EMS was assessed by radical-scavenging effects on ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. As inflammatory response parameters produced by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were quantified to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of EMS. Our results showed that EMS increased FRAP and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. In EMS-treated RAW 264.7 cells, the production of NO, PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly inhibited at the non-cytotoxic concentration. In addition, EMS significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated the toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/myeloid differentiation protein (MyD) 88 signaling pathway, and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB). Positive correlations were noted between anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity. In conclusion, it was indicated that EMS suppresses the transcription of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby suppressing LPS-stimulated inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. This study highlights the potential role of EMS against inflammation and associated diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.530-536
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• 2008

To investigate the molecular mechanism of the airway inflammation by Pseudomonas fluorescens, effects on the inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), macophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1) were assessed in the human alveolar epithelial cells. Exposure to P. fluorescens and its recombinant bacteria suppressed cellular viability in the A549 epithelial cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 production. However, pro-inflammatory prostaglandin-producing COX-2 protein was not altered by P. fluorescens though its mRNA was slightly elevated. As the inhibitory cytokine for the pro-inflammatory mediators, MIC-1 expression was monitored in A549 cells. MIC-1 gene induction was not significantly enhanced but the protein processing was changed by exposure to P. fluorescens. Pro-protein form of MIC-1 (${\sim}40\;kD$) was cleaved into active form mature MIC-1 (${\sim}15\;kD$) and propeptide (${\sim}28\;kD$) by the bacteria exposure. MIC-1 activation can contribute to the suppression of cellular viability by P. fluorescens and can retard IL-8-induced monocyte recruitment. However, sustained activation of MIC-1 can mediate the tissue injury by P. fluorescens exposure.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2020

Dysregulation of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) can lead to the pathologic states and result in the development of various diseases including cancers and inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of microRNA-22 (miR-22) in HDAC6-mediated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. LPS stimulation induced HDAC6 expression, but suppressed miR-22 expression in macrophages, suggesting possible correlation between HDAC6 and miR-22. Luciferase reporter assays revealed that 3'UTR of HDAC6 was a bona fide target site of miR-22. Transfection of miR-22 mimic significantly inhibited LPS-induced HDAC6 expression, while miR-22 inhibitor further increased LPS-induced HDAC6 expression. LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and AP-1 was inhibited by miR-22 mimic, but further increased by miR-22 inhibitor. LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was inhibited by miR-22 mimic, but further increased by miR-22 inhibitor. Taken together, these data provide evidence that miR-22 can downregulate LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines via suppression of NF-κB and AP-1 axis by targeting HDAC6 in macrophages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.1270-1278
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• 2015

In vitro anticancer effects of black soybean doenjang on HT-29 human colon cancer cells were studied. SD (soybean doenjang prepared with nine-time baked bamboo salt) and BD (black soybean doenjang prepared with nine-time baked bamboo salt) were compared with CD (commercial doenjang). There were no significant differences between experimental groups in terms of pH, amino-type nitrogen, and ammonia-type nitrogen levels of the doenjang samples. BD showed the highest antioxidative effect, followed by SD and CD in that order. BD also showed the highest total polyphenol concentration of all samples. CD, SD, and BD extracts showed no toxic effects on normal RAW 264.7 cells at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 mg/mL. BD exhibited anticancer effect on HT-29 cells by MTT assay. Also, BD manipulated mRNA expressions in certain factors; it suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and COX-2, promoted cell-cycle-related genes of p21, and p53, suppressed expression of cyclin D1, and suppressed anti-apoptotic Bcl-2; such manipulation by BD was the strongest, followed by SD and CD in order. From the results above, BD exhibited the highest anticancer effects by inhibiting growth of HT-29 cells, probably by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, cell cycling related genes, etc. These results might be due to using black soybeans containing high levels of polyphenol, including anthocyanins.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2011

Magnesium (Mg) plays an essential role in physiological and metabolic reactions. Recently, there has been an increased interest in the role of Mg deficiency, particularly the relationship between serum Mg value and inflammatory response. This study was designed to determine the relationship between serum Mg deficiency with inflammatory response, electrolytes and hematological alteration over long-term periods. Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: control (n=8), and Mg deficiency group (MgD group, n=8). Chow and normal water (tap water) were regularly provided to the control group and Mg-depleted chow and third distilled water were regularly provided for 60 days to the MgD group. Body weights, Serum Mg, $K^+$, inorganic phosphorus (IP) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) levels in the MgD group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Granulocyte fraction and MCV, RDW and PDW levels were higher, whereas lymphocyte fraction, erythrocyte, hemoglobin and MCHC levels were lower in the MgD group than in the control group (P<0.05). MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in the MgD group were greater than those of the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that Mg deficiency over a long-term period had not altered total leukocyte concentration in the blood, but had detrimental effects, including disturbances of electrolytes balance, disturbance of iron indices, potential anemia and elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine. However, further studies should be performed to determine the relationship between serum Mg deficiency and major organ damage or alteration.

• CELLMED
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.15.1-15.6
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• 2017

We analyzed the effects of an Atopic Preventive Drink (APD) on the regulation of Th2 cytokines using RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In the evaluation of nitric oxide (NO) production in cells, NO production levels were shown to be elevated only in the APD-treated group in a dose-dependent manner. In the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with APD-treated group, NO production significantly decreased as APD concentration increased. Further, mRNA expression levels and protein concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cells were determined. Th2 stimulatory cytokine ($IL-1{\beta}$) and Th2 cytokine (IL-6 and IL-10) levels were significantly reduced in the LPS with APD-treated group compared to the only LPS-treated group. mRNA expression levels of inflammatory-related genes (COX-2 and iNOS) were significantly reduced in the LPS with APD-treated group compared to the only LPS-treated group. These results suggest that APD has an anti-atopic effect by reducing mRNA and proteins expressions of Th2 cytokines and inflammatory-related genes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.654-664
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, isolated from Panax ginseng, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. It is known to reduce inflammation in acute lung injury in mice, and to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in human asthmatic airway epithelium. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also investigated its effects on oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in tracheal epithelial cells. Methods: Asthma symptoms were induced in female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, OVA-induced asthmatic controls, and asthmatic mice treated with ginsenoside Rg3 or prednisolone by intraperitoneal injection. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells (human tracheal epithelial cells) treated with ginsenoside Rg3 to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative responses. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration, oxidative responses, airway inflammation, and AHR in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells treated with ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the eotaxin and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, and monocyte adherence to BEAS-2B cells was significantly reduced as a result of decreased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a potential immunomodulator that can ameliorate pathological features of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.100-111
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• 2013

Objectives : This study investigated the impact of Caesalpinia sappan L. on oxidative damage and inflammatory relevant factor in RAW 264.7 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Methods : We determined whether fractionated EtOH extracts of Caesalpinia sappan L. (CSL) inhibit free radical generation such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells and HUVEC. Result : 1. DPPH removal capacity was increased by CSL. 2. LPS-induced ROS, and NO inhibitory capacity were increased by CSL. 3. LPS-induced cell death of Raw 264.7 cells was decreased by CSL. 4. The amount of cytokine generation in Raw 264.7 cell was decreased significantly by CSL. 5. The amount of cytokine generation in HUVEC was decreased significantly by CSL. Conclusions : These results suggest that CSL supplement may attenuate oxidative stress by elevated antioxidative processes, and suppress inflammatory mediator activation.