• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2021

Objectives : Virus infection through the respiratory tract causes various inflammatory diseases such as pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and obstructive pulmonary disease, causing enormous social damage. Therefore, it is very important to develop a treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of water extracts of Liriope muscari (WELM), known to improve lung function, on the inflammatory response of lung carcinoma cell line A549 cells induced by the viral double stranded RNA mimetic Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C). Methods : The cell viability by WELM treatment was analyzed using MTS assay in A549 cells. After inducing an inflammatory response to WELM-treated A549 cells with Poly I:C, the degree of apoptosis was confirmed through bright field microscopy. Interferon beta (IFN-β) mRNA expression level in A549 cells was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Results : WELM treatment has no significant effect on cell viability of A549 cells. We confirmed that pre-treatment of WELM effectively reduces the Poly I:C-induced apoptotic cell death in A549 cells. In addition, it was confirmed that the mRNA expression level of IFN-β, a pro-inflammatory cytokine increased by Poly I:C treatment, was significantly suppressed by WELM treatment in A549 cells. Conclusions : These results provide the evidence that WELM is effective at inhibiting inflammation on respiratory viral infections and suggest that Liriope muscari might be a valuable natural substance in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.19-28
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• 2022

Objectives : To develop natural ingredients that help prevent or treat anti-inflammatory-related diseases and use themas basic data, we investigated anti-inflammatory activity of Cynanchi Atrati Radix Et Rhizoma water extracts(CWE) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : The cell viabilities were evaluated with RAW 264.7 cells. The production of nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin E2(PGE2), pro-inflammatory cytokines such tumor necrotic factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-6 were assessed in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell treated with CWE. Furthermore, the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) were assessed by western blotting. Results : In RAW 264.7 cell, the cell viability by CWE treatment was more than 98.4% at a concentration of 100-400 ㎍/mL. At a concentration of 800 ug/ml of CWE, the cell viability was as low as 86%. At doses of 100, 200 and 400 ㎍/mL, CWE inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, TNF-𝛼 and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner and also decreased the expression of iNOS and COX-2 from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, CWE significantly inhibited the MAPK pathway including decreased the phosphorylation of the p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK1/2). Conclusions : Our study provides evidence that CWE inhibits the production of main pro-inflammatory molecules in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells via expression of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, CWE is expected to be widely used as a natural ingredient for anti-inflammatory functional foods or pharmaceuticals in the future.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.466-485
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• 2023

Crop productivity can be obstructed by various biotic and abiotic stresses and thus these stresses are a threat to universal food security. The information on the use of viruses providing efficacy to plants facing growth challenges owing to stress is lacking. The role of induction of pathogen-related genes by microbes is also colossal in drought-endurance acquisition. Studies put forward the importance of viruses as sustainable means for defending plants against dual stress. A fundamental part of research focuses on a positive interplay between viruses and plants. Notably, the tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) possess the capacity to safeguard tomato host plants against severe drought conditions. This study aims to explore the combined effects of TYLCV, ToCV, and drought stress on two tomato cultivars, Money Maker (MK, UK) and Shalala (SH, Azerbaijan). The expression of pathogen-related four cellulose synthase gene families (CesA/Csl) which have been implicated in drought and virus resistance based on gene expression analysis, was assessed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The molecular tests revealed significant upregulation of Ces-A2, Csl-D3,2, and Csl-D3,1 genes in TYLCV and ToCV-infected tomato plants. CesA/Csl genes, responsible for biosynthesis within the MK and SH tomato cultivars, play a role in defending against TYLCV and ToCV. Additionally, physiological parameters such as "relative water content," "specific leaf weight," "leaf area," and "dry biomass" were measured in dual-stressed tomatoes. Using these features, it might be possible to cultivate TYLCV-resistant plants during seasons characterized by water scarcity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1663-1670
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• 2012

The inhibitory effects of rose hip (Rosa canina L.) water extracts from two different manufactures on osteoarthritis was comparatively investigated in primary cultures of rat cartilage cells. To identify the effects of rose hip extracts against $H_2O_2$ (300 ${\mu}M$, 2 hr) treatment, cell survival was measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell survival increased by rose hip extracts in the range of 100 to 600 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $H_2O_2$ treatment. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of rose hip extracts, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), nitric oxide (NO), and Cox-2 expression were measured after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation. TNF-${\alpha}$ level with rose hip extract treatment was decreased by 27.4% and 31.9% at 600 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $H_2O_2$ treatment. Nitric oxide was inhibited by rose hip extract at 100~600 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $H_2O_2$ treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, Cox-2 protein expression was dose-dependently decreased while Cox-1 had no change in expression level. The severity of osteoarthritis is controlled by a balance between anabolic and catobolic factors in an articulation, therefore the expression of these factors plays a critical role in preventing osteoarthritis. In measuring anabolic factors, the genetic expression of collagen type I increased with rose hip treatment, while the genetic expression of collagen II did not change. In addition, the genetic expression of aggrecan (proteoglycan core protein) was significantly increased. while the genetic expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3, 7 and 13, known catabolic factors, was significantly inhibited by treatment with rose hip extract. The expression of MMP13 was especially highly influenced. In conclusion, rose hip water extracts show inhibitory effects on cell death by $H_2O_2$ mediated oxidative stress, which is related to inhibitory effects on inflammation due to TNF-${\alpha}$, NO, and Cox-2. The ability of rose hip extracts to ameliorate inflammation in primary cultures of cartilage cells seems to associate with an increased genetic expression of specific anabolic factors, collagen type I and aggrecan, and a decreased expression of catabolic factors, MMPs (3, 7, and 13). However, there were no significant differences between rose hip extracts from the two manufacturers.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2007

Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has been as an model animal for studing the neurological disease such as stroke and epilepsy because of the congenital incompleteries in Willis circle, as well as the investigation of water metabolism because of the long time-survival in the condition of water-deprived desert condition, compared with other species animal. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expressed at the surface of principal cells in collecting duct results from an equilibrium between the AQP2 in intracellular vesicles and the AQP2 on the plasma membrane. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), which is expressed in cell in a wide range of organ, is also present in the collecting duct principal cells where this is abundant in the basolateral plasma membranes and represent potential exit pathways from the cell for water entering via AQP2. In this research, we divide 3 groups of which each group include the 5 animals. In the study of 7 or 14 days water restricted condition, we investigated the AQP2 and AQP4 by using a quantitative immunohistochemistry in the kidney. The results obtained in this study were summarized as followings. AQP2 is abundant in the apical plasma membrane and apical vesicles in the collecting duct principal cell and at rare abundance in connecting tubules. In the water-deprived Mongolian gerbil kidney, expression of AQP2 was continuosly increased in the cortical collecting duct and inner medullary collecting duct. This increase was both the apical region and cytoplasm. AQP4 is mainly expressed in the inner medulla, although some expression is also noted in the more proximal segment. In the water-deprived Mongolian gerbil kidney, AQP4 was also increased in the inner medullary collecting duct. Immunoactivity was increased in entire inner medullary collecting duct and newly detected in cytoplasm of principal cell. These findings suggest that increased levels of AQP2 and AQP4 in the cortical and inner medulalry collecting duct may play a important role for maintain fluid balance in the water-deprived kidney.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1006-1011
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• 2014

Ginseng has been known to be highly effective for health as a traditional medicinal herb. Ginseng berry, or fruit of ginseng, contains ginsenoside, saponin, polyphenol, polyacetylene, alkaloid, etc. as the main compounds as does ginseng. The aim of this study is to evaluate any effect of ginseng berry water extract (GBE) on diabetic-associated molecules, such as enzymes, which are responsible for the glucose entry of the cells and the insulin receptor signaling molecules using HepG2 cells. Therefore, two enzymes, ${\alpha}$-amylase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, were selected and assayed for their activities in the presence of GBE in vitro. These two enzymes are responsible for producing glucose from dietary starch. Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and Akt1 are key proteins in the insulin receptor signaling pathway. These two intracellular signaling molecules were investigated for their expression levels in HepG2 cells after insulin and GBE treatment. GBE, at concentrations up to $1,000{\mu}g/ml$, did not exert any inhibitory effect on ${\alpha}$-amylase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase. It was observed that the expression level of PTP1B was increased by insulin and the $25{\mu}g/ml$ GBE treatment enhanced the PTP1B level. However, GBE at a concentration of $200{\mu}g/ml$ reduced the expression level of PTP1B. In the case of Akt1, the Akt1 level by insulin was decreased by GBE treatment. These data suggest that the water extracts of ginseng berry have an influence on intracellular signaling by insulin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1418-1424
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• 2010

This study was performed to assess the antioxidant activities and whitening effects of Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex on melanin synthesis. The whitening effects of Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex water extracts were examined by in vitro mushroom tyrosinase assay and B16BL6 melanoma cells. We assessed inhibitory effects of Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex water extracts on expression of melanogenic enzyme proteins including tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) in B16BL6 cells. Inhibitory effects of Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex onto free radical generation were determined by measuring DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities. Our results indicated that Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex water extracts effectively inhibited free radical generation. In DPPH radical scavenging activity, Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex water extracts had a potent anti-oxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. They significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity in vitro and in B16BL6 melanoma cells. Also, Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex suppressed the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 in B16BL6 melanoma cells. These results show that Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex inhibited melanin production on the melanogenesis. The underlying mechanism of Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex on whitening activity may be due to the inhibition of tyrosinase activity and tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2 expression. We suggest that Sorbus commixta HEDL cortex may be contain new natural active ingredients for antioxidant and whitening cosmetics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1438-1447
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• 2018

We investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of various organic solvent extracts with and without Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation of Aralia continentalis Kitagawa which has hypotensive effects in addition to excitatory effects on the central nervous system. It has been used to treat arthritis, colds, neuralgia, rheumatism, and itchy skin. Our extracts were tested for their anti-inflammatory potential on NO production and the expression of inflammatory factors in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Extracts with and without L. plantarum fermentation were prepared using water, ethanol, hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol. The RAW264.7 cells were tested for toxicity and the anti-inflammatory activity of each extract was determined at a concentration with no toxicity to the cells. The extracts used in this study significantly inhibited both the production of NO and the mRNA expression of COX-2 and iNOS, the major inflammatory factors. The production of inflammation-related cytokines $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ was also significantly reduced. These results suggest that the extracts involving fermentation by L. plantarum can inhibit cytokines by controlling the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes. It is considered that the water, ethanol, and butanol extracts after fermentation with L. plantarum could be useful as functional natural materials with anti-inflammatory effects.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.29
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• pp.19.1-19.10
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• 2014

Objectives Lysosome is the cell-organelle which is commonly used as biomonitoring tool in environmental pollution. In this study, the lysosomal proteomic of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was analyzed for utilization in the detection of toxic substances in mine water samples. Methods This work informs the expression of lysosomal proteomic in yeast in response with toxic chemicals, such as sodium meta-arsenite and tetracycline, for screening specific biomarkers. After that, a recombinant yeast contained this biomarker were constructed for toxic detection in pure toxic chemicals and mine water samples. Results Each chemical had an optimal dose at which the fluorescent protein intensity reached the peak. In the case of water samples, the yeast showed the response with sample 1, 3, 4, and 5; whereas there is no response with sample 2, 6, and 7. Conclusions The recombinant yeast showed a high ability of toxic detection in response with several chemicals such as heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. In the case of mine water samples, the response varied depending on the sample content.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.457-469
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• 2016

Steep rock slope with water-filled tension crack will happen to overturn around the toe of the slope under seismic loading. This failure type is completely different from the common toppling failure occurring in anti-dipping layered rock mass slopes with steeply dipping discontinuities. This paper presents an analytical approach to determine the seismic factor of safety against overturning for an intact rock mass slope with water-filled tension crack considering horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients. This solution is a generalized explicit expression and is derived using the moment equilibrium approach. A numerical program based on discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) is adopted to validate the analytical results. The parametric study is carried out to adequately investigate the effect of horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients on the overall stability against overturning for a saturated rock slope under two water pressure modes. The analytical results show that vertically upward seismic inertia force or/and second water pressure distribution mode will remarkably decrease the slope stability against overturning. Finally, several representative design charts of slopes also are presented for the practical application.