• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2023

This study aimed to confirm the potential as a material for food, medicine, and cosmetics by measuring the physiological activity of the complex extract(Leonurus japonicus Houtt., Houttuynia cordata Thunberg and Citrus unshiu Markovich). The complex extract was with hot water, The evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and MAPKs of the extract was performed by using ELISA and western blot. Total polyphenols and flavonoid contents of complex extracts were 126.16 mg/g and 105.84 mg/g, respectively. The scavenging activities of DPPH and ABTS radical significantly increased in a dose-dependent in complex extracts. Compared to the control group, the complex extracts treatments significantly reduced concentrations of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokine (i.e., IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6). Furthermore, the complex extracts treatments significantly reduced protein expression levels of MAPKs (i.e., ERK, JNK, and p38). The results indicate that the complex extract can be used for oxidative damage and inflammation. Thus, the results of this study can be used as basic data for composite materials for food, medicine, and cosmetics.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.36-44
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• 2023

Essential oils and aromatherapy have traditionally been used for the treatment of anxiety and depression with few side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of essential oils from six herbal prescriptions known to be effective in treating anxiety and depression in Korean medicine. The neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of six essential oils, including Gamisachil-tang (GMSCT), Guibi-tang (GBT), Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang (SYM), Danchisoyosan (DCSYS), Sihosogansan (SHSGS), and Soyosan (SYS), were examined in PC12 and BV2 cells. In corticosterone (CORT)-stimulated PC12 cells, all six essential oils ameliorated the CORT-induced decrease in cell viability at a concentration of 10 ㎍/ml. GMSCT, GBT, and SHSGS recovered CORT-induced cytotoxicity at concentrations of 1 ㎍/ml and 10 ㎍/ml. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 cells, GBT (10 ㎍/ml) decreased interleukin (IL)-1β production, whereas SHSGS (1 ㎍/ml) inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production. In the MK-801-induced anxiety in zebrafish, electroencephalogram (EEG) assessment indicated that GMSCT and SHSGS induced recovery in the delta and beta power densities and reduced theta/beta and delta/beta ratios. DCSYS and SYS decreased theta power density and theta/beta ratio, whereas GBT and SYM showed no effects on EEG signals. In the tail suspension test (TST) in mice, GBT, DCSYS, SHSGS, and SYS exhibited antidepressant-like effects by decreasing immobility time. These results suggest that the essential oils from the six herbal prescriptions, except SYM, may have beneficial effects on anxiety and/or depression. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the molecular signaling pathways that mediate the effects of these essential oils on anxiety and depression.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.29-41
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• 2022

This study was conducted to verify the availability of immature persimmon ethanol extract (IPEE) as a natural and functional ingredient in protecting inflammation and allergy of skin based on the mechanism. The major content analysis, antioxidant activities, anti-allergic activity, anti-inflammatory effect, and safety related to irritation of IPEE were evaluated. The gallic acid content per 10 mg/mL of IPEE was 0.522% (5.22 mg/g). The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were 428.3 mg/g and 31.1 mg/g, respectively. In ABTS+ activity, DPPH ability and SOD-like activity, it showed a concentration-dependent increase, which indicated IPEE has excellent antioxidant activities. As for the anti-allergy test in RBL-2H3 cells, the IPEE showed a decrease in β-hexosaminidase secretion as the concentration increases, and IPEE tended to decrease IL-4 secretion in all RBL-2H3 cells compared to the IgE + HSA group. IPEE showed good anti-inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 cells by decrease of NO production and inflammation cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). Also IPEE showed non-irritant in BCOP assay. By the results of this study, the IPEE containing high tannins, had good antioxidant, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory effects, which indicated that the immature persimmon is considered to be a useful for the development of related functional ingredients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.840-847
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• 2023

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), a member of the Araliaceae family, is known as a traditional medicinal plant to have a wide range of health properties. Polysaccharides constitute a major component of Korean ginseng, and its berries exhibit immune-modulating properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immune effects of crude polysaccharide (GBPC) extracted from Korean ginseng berry on peritoneal macrophages in mice with cyclophosphamide (CY)- induced immunosuppression. BALB/c mice were divided into eight groups: normal control, normal control + CY, levamisole + CY, ginseng + CY, and four concentrations of 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg BW/day of GBPC + CY. Mice were orally administered with samples for 10 days. Immunosuppression was established by treating mice with CY (80 mg/kg BW/day) through intraperitoneal injection on days 4 to 6. The immune function of peritoneal macrophages was then evaluated. Oral administration of 500 mg/kg BW/day GBPC resulted in proliferation, NO production, and phagocytosis at 100%, 88%, and 91%, respectively, close to the levels of the normal group (100%) of peritoneal macrophages. In CY-treated mice, GBPC of 50-500 mg/kg BW/day also dose-dependently stimulated the proliferation, NO production, and phagocytosis at 56-100%, 47-88%, and 53-91%, respectively, with expression levels of immune-associated genes, such as iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, of about 0.32 to 2.87-fold, compared to those in the CY group. GBPC could be a potential immunomodulatory material to control peritoneal macrophages under an immunosuppressive condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the effect of the extracts of Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm. (CFJ) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in mouse BV-2 microglial cells. Nitric oxide (NO) production and cell viability were measured using the Griess reagent and the (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) (MTT) assay. Inflammatory cytokines were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in BV-2 microglial cells with and without CFJ extracts. Subsequently, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and antioxidant markers were assessed by western blot analysis. It was found that the CFJ extract significantly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and IL-1β) and NO in BV-2 microglial cells that were stimulated with LPS. In addition, the expression levels of the phosphorylation of the MAPK family (p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinases [JNK], and extracellular-signal regulated kinase [ERK]) were reduced by CFJ. Also, treatment with CFJ significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase type 1(SOD1) and Catalase in BV-2 microglial cells. Our results indicate that CFJ has a potent suppressive effect on the pro-inflammatory responses of activated BV-2 microglia. Therefore, CFJ has the potential to be an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, as it can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators in activated BV-2 microglial cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.29-44
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• 2023

Objectives : This study was planned to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and possible underlying mechanism of TPE (Tetrapanax papyrifer stem(inner part of the stem Extract) and AQE (Akebiae quinata stem Extract) on osteoarthritis. Methods : Osteoarthritis models were induced through intra-articular injection of MIA (monosodium iodoacetate) 50 μL with 80 mg/ml in rats. Excluding the normal group, Osteoarthritis-induced rats were divided into 4 groups (Control, INDO, TPE, AQE). The drug concentrations were indomethacin 5 mg/kg, TPE 200 mg/kg, and AQE 200 mg/kg, and were orally administered once a day for a couple of weeks. After drug supplementation, the effects of TPE and AQE were measured with serum diagnosis, western blotting, and histopathological staining. Results : It was found that the DPPH and ABTS free radical erasure ability of AQE was better than that of TPE. AQE administration improved rear limb overload and it led to relieving pain. Both PTE and AQE significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory mediators COX-2, iNOS, and inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and IL-6 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IκBα and deactivating the pathway of NF-κBp65. On the other hand, TNF-α was significantly reduced only by administration of AQE. In addition, histopathological analysis showed that the administration of AQE compared to PTE suppressed cartilage degeneration and effectively suppressed damage to proteoglycan, a component of ECM. Conclusion : Reviewing these experimental results, TPE and AQE possessed the effect of delaying the progress of osteoarthritis and protecting cartilage. In addition, the results of this study show that AQE has a better cartilage protection effect than TPE.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2020

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a very well-known traditional herbal medicine that has long been used to enhance the body's immunity. Because it is a type of ginseng, it is believed that wild simulated ginseng (WSG) also has immune-enhancing activity. However, study on the immune-enhancing activity of WSG is quite insufficient compared to ginseng. In this study, we evaluated immune-enhancing activity of WSG through macrophage activation to provide a scientific basis for the immune enhancing activity of WSG. WSG increased the production of immunomodulators such as NO, iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and activated phagocytosis in mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 reduced the production of immunomodulators induced by WSG. WSG activated MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and inhibition of such signaling activation blocked WSG-mediated production of immunomodulators. In addition, activation of MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways by WSG was reversed by TLR2 or TLR4 inhibition. Based on the results of this study, WSG is thought to activate macrophages through the production of immunomodulators and phagocytosis activation through TLR2/4-dependent MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Therefore, it is thought that WSG have the potential to be used as an agent for enhancing immunity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.827-843
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitochondrial DNA leakage leads to inflammatory responses via endosome activation. This study aims to evaluate whether the perennial grass water extract (Pogonatherum panicum) ameliorate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. MATERIALS/METHODS: The major bioactive constituents of P. paniceum (PPW) were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, after which their antioxidant activities were assessed. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, resulting in mitochondrial damage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the gene expression and cytokines. RESULTS: Our results showed that PPW extract-treated activated cells significantly decrease reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels by reducing the p2^phox and iNOS expression and lowering cytokine-encoding genes, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, PG-E2 and IFN-γ relative to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that LPS enhanced the mtDNA leaked into the cytoplasm, increasing the transcription of Tlr9 and signaling both MyD88/Irf7-dependent interferon and MyD88/NF-κb p65-dependent inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression but which was alleviated in the presence of PPW extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that PPW extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by facilitating mtDNA leakage and lowering the Tlr9 expression and signaling activation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Goryeon-hwan (GRH), which is mentioned in ≪Donguibogam≫ that treats leukorrhea. Methods: In this study, the antioxidant efficacy of GRH was evaluated by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and ROS production through RAW264.7 cells. The concentration of GRH cytotoxicity was confirmed through the cell viability of RAW264.7 cells, and the production of NO, the production of Cytokine through ELISA assay, and the expression of genes through Real-time PCR were measured to evaluate anti-inflammatory efficacy. Protein phosphorylation and protein expression were measured through Western blot analysis. Results: As a result of the experiment, GRH contained polyphenol and flavonoid, and concentration-dependent increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity and decreased ROS production. The anti-inflammatory efficacy measurement results showed a significant decrease in NO and Cytokine production in the GRH administration group compared to the control group. In terms of gene expression and protein expression, there was a significant decrease in iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α depending on the concentration, and a significant increase in HO-1 and NQO1. Protein phosphorylation measurements showed a concentration-dependent significant decrease in the GRH group at ERK and p38. Conclusions: As a result, the study experimentally confirmed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of GRH, suggesting that it may be used as a treatment for various gynecological inflammatory diseases including vaginitis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.14.1-14.17
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• 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by breakdown of joint cartilage. Mitochondrial dysfunction of the chondrocyte is a risk factor for OA progression. We examined the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial transplantation for OA. Mitochondria were injected into the knee joint of monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA rats. Chondrocytes from OA rats or patients with OA were cultured to examine mitochondrial function in cellular pathophysiology. Pain, cartilage destruction, and bone loss were improved in mitochondrial transplanted-OA rats. The transcript levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, matrix metallopeptidase 13, and MCP-1 in cartilage were markedly decreased by mitochondrial transplantation. Mitochondrial function, as indicated by membrane potential and oxygen consumption rate, in chondrocytes from OA rats was improved by mitochondrial transplantation. Likewise, the mitochondrial function of chondrocytes from OA patients was improved by coculture with mitochondria. Furthermore, inflammatory cell death was significantly decreased by coculture with mitochondria. Mitochondrial transplantation ameliorated OA progression, which is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial transplantation for OA.