• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1320-1331
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• 2009

Oxidative stress and inflammation are important events in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases including arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension. Cynomorium songaricum (CS) has been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine, and it is currently used in traditional clinics to treat frequent urination, spermatorrhea, weakness of the sinews and constipation in the folk medicine. The aim of this study was to determine whether fractionated extracts of CS inhibit free radical generation such as DPPH radical, superoxide radical, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, production of nitrite an index of NO, $PGE_2$, iNOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. Our results indicated that the most superior extract which scavenged DPPH radical, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and RNS was CS ethyl acetate extract (CSEA). Moreover, CSEA significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 formation in macrophages. Furthermore, CSEA treatment also blocked LPS-induced intracellular ROS production and the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. These findings indicate that CSEA inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines via the suppression of ROS production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Take together, these results indicate that CSEA has the potential for use as an natural anti-oxidant and an agent of anti-chronic inflammatory diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.236-251
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• 2015

Objectives: To investigate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-histamine activities of 20 herbal medicines to test their efficacy in common cold treatment. Methods: For all experiments, the herbal medicines were extracted with 80% ethanol and freeze-dried. To determine the anti-oxidative properties, we tested DPPH-free radical-scavenging activity and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. To determine anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential, we investigated acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and writhing test in ICR mice. For anti-pyretic activities, an LPS-induced pyrexia study was conducted in rabbits. To evaluate the anti-histamine activity, we examined compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis in ICR mice and the release of β-hexosaminidase on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. Results: Ephedrae herba, Forsythiae fructus, Cinnamomi ramulus, and Cimicifugae rhizome showed potent free-radical scavenging activities. Gentianae macrophyllae radix inhibited acetic acid-induced vascular permeability. Schizonepetae spica and Cimicifugae rhizome inhibited acetic acid. Cinnamomi ramulus and Angelicae decursivae radix inhibited LPS-induced pyrexia. Angeliace dahuricae radix and Asari radix inhibited compound 48/80. Scutellariae radix, Cinnamomi ramulus, Ephedrae herba, and Zingiberis rhizoma crudus potently inhibited the release of β-hexosaminidase. Conclusions: We examined the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-histamine activities of 20 herbal medicines;We examined the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-histamine activities of 20 herbal medicines Codonopsis pilosulae radix, Zingiberis rhizoma crudus, and Cinnamomi ramulus showed novel efficacy. These results suggest that some of herbal medicines may be very effective in treating common cold.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.209.3-210
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• 2001

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1571-1575
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• 2007

This research was carried out to investigate the effects of Hambag mushroom on the oxidative stress in diabetic rats, Sprague-Dawley. The diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin were fed with hambag mushroom-powder(G. frondosa) for 6 weeks. For the level of oxidative stress in liver and pancreas tissues, it was studied by measuring LPO (lipid oxide) level as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, XOD(xanthine oxidase) as one of important sources for free radicals and the levels of GSH and GST as anti-oxidant systems. Also, as an indicator of liver damaged by oxidative stress, the activities of serum ALT and AST were measured. It was observed that the levels of ALT, AST, LPO and XOD were higher by about two times in both tissues from diabetic rats than in those from control rats. This indicates that the oxidative stress induced by diabetes caused the tissues damages. However, these levels were decreased in the tissues from rats with hambag mushroom-powder. Futhermore, the activity of GST were higher in both tissues from diabetic rats fed with hambag mushroom-powder than in those from diabetic rats. Thus, it is considered that the hambag mushroom-powder decreases the level of oxidative stress by increasing activity of anti-oxidant system such as GSH and GST. It is suggested that the hambag mushroom-powder can be useful for preventing the tissues damaged by diabetes-induced oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.143-158
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the anti-oxidative effects of electroacupuncture at GB34(Yangreungcheon) in rats. Methods : The authors performed several experimental items including measurements of body weight, relative liver weight, levels of albumin, total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol, LDH, GOT and GPT in blood serum, levels of SOD, glutathione, catalase, NO and MDA in liver, and histological analysis of liver. The conclusions are as follows. Results : 1. In the GB34-EA group, liver index was lower than those of the control group and the holder group. 2. In the GB34-EA group, the levels of albumin and total bilirubin in serum were increased significantly compared to those of the control and the holder group. LDL-cholesterol level was decreased significantly compared to those of the control group and the holder group. 3. In the GB34-EA group, liver SOD, glutathione, catalase activity were increased, and NO concentration in liver was decreased significantly compared to those of control and the holder group. 4. In the GB34-EA group, the density of liver tissue was more similarly maintained to that of the normal group compared to those of the control group, holder group and sham-EA group. Conclusions : These results suggest that electroacupuncture at GB34 may have an antioxidant effect in rat.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.271-277
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• 2010

We tested to determine if Mori Cortex Radicis extract has antioxidant activities and its potential mechanism of action was explored. Anti-oxidative effects were tested by measuring free radical and nitric Oxide (NO) scavenging activity, and reducing power. Since iNOS and COX-2 are important enzymes responsible for the production of free radicals in the cell, Mori Cortex Radicis extract was tested as to whether it could inhibit iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS stimulated Raw cells. 70% methanolic extract of Mori Cortex Radicis exerted significant DPPH free radical and NO scavenging activities. In addition, the Mori Cortex Radicis extract exerted dramatic reducing power with maximal activity observed at 1 mg/ml (11-fold over control). Production of iNOS induced by LPS was significantly inhibited by the Mori Cortex Radicis extract, suggesting it could inhibit NO production by suppressing iNOS expression. COX-2 induced by LPS was also significantly inhibited by the Mori Cortex Radicis extract. The extract contains well known antioxidant components including phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanin at the concentration of 0.23 mg/g, 42.97 mg/g and 12.08 mg/g, respectively. These results suggest that 70% methanolic extract of Mori Cortex Radicis exerts significant anti-oxidant activity via inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 induction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3 s.67
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• pp.77-87
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• 2006

Objectives: The present study was carried out to investigate the preventive effects of Samgijiwhang-Tang(SJT) on streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy. Methods: SIT was given to rats through oral administration. The experimental animals were divided into a normal group of rats, a control group of STZ-induced diabetic rats, and a sample group with SIT administration. Rehmanniae Radix Preparat is combined in the original prescription of SIT, but in this experiment, Rehmanniae Radix was combined instead of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat to compare the effects of anti-diabetic nephropathy. Experimental diabetic nephropathy was induced by the injection of STZ(60mg/kg) in the rat via the peritoneum. The effect of SIT on STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy was observed by measuring the serum level of creatinine and BUN, in addition to urine secretion of albumin for 24 hours and the level of glucose found in the urine. Anti-oxidative stress of SIT administration in a living body was estimated by measuring lipid peroxide and GSH content in the cortex of kidneys. Results: STZ induced an increase of serum creatinine, urine glucose and renal cortical lipid peroxidation was lowered by Rehmanniae Radix Preparat combined SIT administration. Conclusions: The SIT treatment showed a protective effect on the rat diabetic nephropathy model, and action mechanism of the effect was thought to be concerned with anti-oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.161-167
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• 2014

Ganoderma lucidum L. (GL) is a traditional oriental medicine that has been widely used as anti-inflammatory, antitumor and anti-oxidant in Korea and other Asian countries. In this study, we investigated the ethanol extract of GL has neuroprotective effects in murine hippocampal HT22 cells. GL ethanol extract has the potent neuroprotective effects on glutamate-intoxicated cells by inducing the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in HT22 cells. GL ethanol extract increased JNK phosphorylation. Obviously, When we treated the GL extract with c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125), HO-1 expression was reduced. Moreover, we found that GL treatment caused the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of GL significantly protects glutamate-induced oxidative damage by induction of HO-1 via Nrf2, JNK pathway in mouse hippocampal HT22. These results suggest that GL ethanol extract would be a good source for taking active compounds and may be a potential pharmaceutical products for brain disorder induced by neuronal damage and oxidative stress.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.420-425
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• 2014

Esophageal reflux of gastric contents causes esophageal mucosal damage and inflammation. Recent studies show that oxygen-derived free radicals mediate mucosal damage in reflux esophagitis (RE). Chlorogenic acid (CGA), an ester of caffeic acid and quinic acid, is one of the most abundant polyphenols in the human diet and possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-oxidant activities. In this context, we investigated the effects of CGA against experimental RE in rats. RE was produced by ligating the transitional region between the forestomach and the glandular portion and covering the duodenum near the pylorus ring with a small piece of catheter. CGA (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) and omeprazole (positive control, 10 mg/kg) were administered orally 48 h after the RE operation for 12 days. CGA reduced the severity of esophageal lesions, and this beneficial effect was confirmed by histopathological observations. CGA reduced esophageal lipid peroxidation and increased the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio. CGA attenuated increases in the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein. CGA alleviates RE-induced mucosal injury, and this protection is associated with reduced oxidative stress and the anti-inflammatory properties of CGA.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.463-471
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• 2001

The bark of Ulmus darvidiana var. japonica Nakai (UDN) has been used for a long time to cure inflammation in oriental medicine. In the present study, two types of extracts, Ulmus water-eluted fraction (UWF) and Ulmus ethanol-eluted fraction (UEF), were prepared from the UDN stem bark, and employed to test the extracts to see if they had anti-oxidative properties against hydroxyl radicals that could alter immune reactivity in mouse immune cells. Deoxyribose assay, DNA nicking assay, and glucose/glucose oxidase assay showed that both fractions had scavenging activity against oxygen free radicals at 50 mg/ml. In addition, hydroxyl radical-mediated apoptosis in mouse thymocytes was not protected by UEF treatment, but the apoptosis was protected by UWF at the same concentration. DNA synthesis and cytokine production that were induced in splenocytes by mitogens (Concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide) were reduced by the addition of both fractions. These results indicate that both extracts that were prepared from the UDN stem bark have anti-oxidative activities, anti-apoptotic effects, and inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis and cytokine production in mouse immune cell cultures.