• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.1475-1481
• /
• 2008

This study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Mori Fructus on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}O_2{^-}$) in the endothelial cells of rat vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate the $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$ scavenging and anti-inflammatory activitives of Mori Fructus. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) were used. Western blotting was performed using anti-NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS antibodies, respectively. Mori Fructus prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell death in YPEN cells. Mori Fructus inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$ in the LPS-treated cells. Mori Fructus inhibited the expression of COX-2 and iNOS genes by means of decreasing the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. These results suggest Mori Fructus is effective on inhibiting the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$, and that therefore it might have a potential role as a treatment for the inflammatory process and inflammation-related diseases.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.37-48
• /
• 2013

This study aims to summarize and makes a reference of anti-inflammatory activities of herbal medicines. In this process, this review collated papers of anti-inflammation-focused studies using herbal medicines in Oriental medical journals since 2003. Finally 221 papers were included and the type of materials, the type and effective classification of herbal medicines, the type of cells used in the experiments and the action and mechanisms of herbal medicine were analysed. The herbal medicines having the effects of decreasing fire and tonifying and nourishment were used the most. Most herbal medicines in this study can decrease proinflammatory cytokines, NO and prostaglandin 2 (PGE 2) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by regulating of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) and/or mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs).

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.102-107
• /
• 2018

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role for host defense against invading pathogens. The activation of TLRs signaling leads to the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and the expression of pro-inflammatory gene products such as cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). To evaluate the therapeutic potential of cardamonin, which is a naturally occurring chalcone from Alpinia species (zingiberaceous plant species), $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and iNOS expression induced by MALP-2 (TLR2 and TLR6 agonist) or LPS (TLR4 agonist) were examined. Cardamonin inhibited the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ induced by MALP-2 or LPS. Cardamonin also suppressed the iNOS expression induced by MALP-2 or LPS. These results suggest that cardamonin has the specific mechanism for anti-inflammatory responses by regulating of TLRs signaling pathway.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.71-76
• /
• 2011

We demonstrate that baicalein, a bioactive flavonoid originally isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, inhibits LPS-induced expression of iNOS gene in RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment of peritoneal macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells with baicalein inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide production in a dose-related manner. Immunohistochemical staining of iNOS and RT-PCR analysis showed that the decrease of NO was due to the inhibition of iNOS gene expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Immunostaining of p65, EMSA, and reporter gene assay showed that baicalein inhibited NF-${\kappa}$B nuclear translocation, DNA binding, and transcriptional activation, respectively. Collectively, these series of experiments indicate that baicalein inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking NF-${\kappa}$B nuclear translocation. Due to the critical role that NO release plays in mediating inflammatory responses, the inhibitory effects of baicalein on iNOS suggest that baicalein may represent a useful anti-inflammatory agent.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.98-105
• /
• 2009

Background: It has been recently noticed that type 2 diabetes (T2D), one of the most common metabolic diseases, causes a chronic low-grade inflammation and activation of the innate immune system that are closely involved in the pathogenesis of T2D. Cordyceps militaris, a traditional medicinal mushroom, produces a component compound, cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine). Cordycepin has been known to have many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, and anti-infection activities. The molecular mechanisms of cordycepin in T2D are not clear. In the present study, we tested the role of cordycepin on the anti-diabetic effect and anti-inflammatory cascades in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: We confirmed the levels of diabetes regulating genes mRNA and protein of cytokines through RT-PCR and western blot analysis and followed by FACS analysis for the surface molecules. Results: Cordycepin inhibited the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in LPS-activated macrophages via suppressing protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. T2D regulating genes such as $11{\beta}$-HSD1 and PPAR${\gamma}$ were decreased as well as expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as ICAM-1 and B7-1/-2 were also decreased with the increment of its concentration. In accordance with suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production lead to inhibition of diabetic regulating genes in activated macrophages. Cordycepin suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in LPS-activated macrophages. Conclusion: Based on these observations, cordycepin suppressed T2D regulating genes through the inactivation of NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent inflammatory responses and suggesting that cordycepin will provide potential use as an immunomodulatory agent for treating immunological diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.40-48
• /
• 2016

The pregnane X receptor (PXR), a liver and intestine specific receptor,, has been reported to be related with the repression of inflammation as well as activation of cytochromosome P450 3A (CYP3A) expression. We examined the effect of PXR on tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced mouse liver inflammation in this work. Ginkgolide A, one main component of Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE), activated PXR and enhanced PXR expression level, displayed both significant therapeutic effect and preventive effect against $CCl_4$-induced mouse hepatitis. siRNA-mediated decrease of PXR expression significantly reduced the efficacy of Ginkgolide A in treating $CCl_4$-induced inflammation in mice. Flavonoids, another important components of GBE, were shown anti-inflammatory effect in a different way from Ginkgolide A which might be independent on PXR because flavonoids significantly inhibited CYP3A11 activities in mice. The results indicated that anti-inflammatory effect of PXR might be mediated by enhancing transcription level of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ through binding of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by NF-${\kappa}B$-specific suppressor $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ is one of the potential mechanisms of Ginkgolide A against CCl4-induced liver inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.9
• /
• pp.1242-1247
• /
• 2012

Acer barbinerve Maxim belongs to the Aceraceae tree family and is often consumed as an Oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated whether or not ethanol extract from the bark of A. barbinerve Max. (EBA) inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in Raw264.7 macrophages. EBA was fractionated using n-hexane, $CH_2Cl_2$, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and water. Raw264.7 cells were treated with 20 ${\mu}g/mL$ of EBA and the EBA fractions. EBA inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. Among the three fractions, EtOAc fraction of EBA (EFEBA) was the most effective in inhibiting LPS-induced NO production without significant cytotoxicity in Raw264.7 cells. EFEBA futher reduced LPS-induced expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) proteins and its corresponding mRNA. Additionally, EFEBA decreased the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in LPS-treated Raw264.7 cells. Lastly, EFEBA inhibited LPS-induced degradation of the inhibitor of kappaBalpha ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) as well as phosphorylation of p65 nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$). These results indicate that EFEBA exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects and can be developed as a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.12
• /
• pp.1691-1698
• /
• 2013

The anti-inflammatory effects of Sargassum micracanthum ethanol extract (SMEE) was investigated using LPS-induced inflammatory response in this study. As a result, there was no cytotoxicity in the macrophage proliferation treated with SMEE compared with the control. SMEE inhibited production of nitric oxide and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 were suppressed via inhibition of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ p65 expression by SMEE treatment. The formation of edema in the mouse ear was reduced at the highest dose tested compared with that in the control, and reduction of ear thickness was observed in histological analysis. Moreover, in an acute toxicity test, no mortalities occurred in mice administered 5,000 mg/kg body weight of SMEE over a 2-week observation period. These results suggest that SMEE may have significant effects on inflammatory mediators and be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic material.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.9-21
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Realgar has been frequently used for skin disorders in history of herbal medicine. However, the efficacy of realgar has not been examined in atopic dermatitis(AD). In this study, the effects of realgar on AD were investigated, especially on pruritus and inflammation. Methods: AD lesions were induced in the shaved backs of BALB/c mice through repeated application of DNCB. The mice were treated for 11 days with 1% realgar ($100{\mu}L/day$). Histological changes in skin thickness were observed. The anti-pruritic effects of realgar were evaluated by the change in numbers of scratching behavior of mice and expression of substance P. The expressions of cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 were measured. Also, anti-inflammatory effects of realgar were examined on expressions of NF-${\kappa}B$, phospho-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Results: Realgar decreased skin thickness (both dermal and epidermal) 38% and 17% respectively, compared to positive control, DNCB group. The scratching behavior of mice was reduced by 42% and expression of substance P was significantly less. Cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 were significantly reduced by 52.6% and 77.6%, respectively. The expressions of NF-${\kappa}B$, phospho-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and MAPKs (phospho-ERK1/2, -p38 and -JNK) were significantly suppressed with marked effects on phospho-ERK1/2. Conclusions: The collective results suggest that realgar shows anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory effects on AD. And realgar might be a potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.21-39
• /
• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Goihwa-san water extract(GHS) in vitro & in vivo. Methods : In vitro, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of GHS by comparing the Raw 264.7 cells with 10, 30, 100, 300㎍/㎖ of GHS for 1 hour before Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) to the single LPS treated group. We examined the relative cell viability by MTT assay and the relative level of LPS, Loxoribine(LOX), Peptidoglycan(PGN), Flagellin(FLA)-induced NO production by using Griess reagent and measured relative iNOS protein level and COX-2 protein level by using western blot and Image analyzing system. We measured the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by each ELISA kits and then measured the relative levels of IκBα, p-IκBα in whole-cell lysate fraction and NF-κB in nuclear fraction by using western blot and Image analyzing system. In vivo, we induced the paw edema by subcutaneous injection of 100㎕/rat CA and measured the swelling volume of paw by using a plethysmometer and then measured the relative iNOS protein level by using western blot. Results : As a result, in vitro, LPS, PGN-induced NO production was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with GHS. GHS reduced LPS, PGN-induced iNOS expression, PGN-induced COX-2 expression and LPS-induced production of cytokine(TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Expression of IκBα was increased by pretreatment with GHS 100㎍/㎖. And the expression of p-IκBα and NF-κB were decreased by pretreatment with GHS 100㎍/㎖. In vivo, CA-induced inflammation rat model was used for the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect of GHS. 0.3 or 1.0g/kg of GHS significantly reduced the increases of paw swelling and iNOS expression in paw tissues. Conclusions : These results show that GHS can decrease inflammatory response via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway in vitro. And in vivo, the anti-inflammatory effect suggest the clinical basis of GHS for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.