• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.787-792
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• 2011

We investigated whether silk fibroin peptide derived from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, could inhibit inflammation and enhance the anti-inflammatory activity of Tat-superoxide dismutase (Tat-SOD), which was previously reported to effectively penetrate various cells and tissues and exert anti-oxidative activity in a mouse model of inflammation. Inflammation was induced by topical treatment of mouse ears with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Histological, Western blot, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction data demonstrated that silk fibroin peptide or Tat-SOD alone could suppress elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6, interleukin-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced by TPA. Moreover, silk fibroin peptide significantly enhanced the anti-inflammatory activity of Tat-SOD, although it had no influence on in vitro and in vivo transduction of Tat-SOD. Silk fibroin peptide exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in a mice model of inflammation. Therefore, silk fibroin peptide alone or in combination with Tat-SOD might be used as a therapeutic agent for various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.673-680
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• 2015

In this study, the immune-enhancing effects of purified polysaccharides from ascidian (Halocynthia roretzi) tunic were investigated. Crude polysaccharides (AP) were isolated by enzyme extraction (neutrase, $60^{\circ}C$, 15h), ethanol precipitation, and lyophilization. In addition, crude polysaccharides were further fractionated into unabsorbed fractions (APF-I, fraction No. 11~17) and absorbed fractions (APF-II, fraction No. 22~37) by DEAE-sepharose CL-6B column chromatography in order to isolate immune regulating polysaccharide. The major constituents in APF-I and APF-II were total sugar (66.62% and 27.03%), uronic acid (47.53% and 15.87%), hexosamine (16.62% and 46.79%), and protein (2.43% and 4.94%), respectively. APF-I increased production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin (IL)-6 in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression levels of inducible NO synthetase, cyclooxygenase-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-6 were markedly increased as determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis. The above data led us to conclude that macrophage activation of purified polysaccharides was higher than that of crude polysaccharides. The polysaccharides isolated from ascidian tunic investigated herein are useful as natural immune enhancing agents.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the effects of swimming exercise and Achyranthes Radix extracts on the inflammatory and behavioral responses in type II collagen-induced arthritic rats for 28 days. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated randomly to one of the following four groups: only type II collageninduced (group Ⅰ), application of swimming exercise after type II collagen-induced (group II), application of Achyranthes Radix ointment after type II collagen-induced (group III), application of swimming exercise and Achyranthes Radix ointment after type II collagen-induced (group IV). Arthritis was established in SD rats by an intradermal injection of Chick type II collagen plus incomplete Freund's adjuvant at the base of the tail of the animals. The swimming exercise program consisted of a 25 min swimming session/day with a load corresponding to 5.5% of the weight bearing, three days/week for four weeks. The Achyranthes Radix ointment (0.1g) was applied twice a day for five days. The changes in behavior, H & E stain, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) level in the knee joint were assessed. Results: The gross and histological examination, after RA induction showed reddening, edema and erythema. The H & E stain revealed the destruction of articular cartilage, bony erosion and the infiltration of inflammatory cells after RA induction. The mechanical allodynia test results were significantly higher in group I than in groups II, III and IV (p<0.01). The immunohistochemistrical response of COX-2 in the knee joint showed that groups II, III, IV had a lower response effect than group I. Conclusion: Swimming exercise training and Achyranthes Radix ointment decreased the inflammatory responses and enhanced the behavioral responses in the arthritic rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.3 s.70
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• pp.397-405
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• 2005

Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate derived from hydrolysis of glucoraphanin in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, was shown to induce phase II detoxification enzymes and inhibit chemically induced mammary tumors in rodents. Recently, sulforaphane is known to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cancer cells, however its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrated that sulforaphane acted to inhibit proliferation and induce morphological changes of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. Treatment of HeLa cells with $10{\mu}M\;or\;15{\mu}M$ sulforaphane resulted in significant G2/M cell cycle arrest as determined by flow cytometry. Moreover, $20{\mu}M$ sulforaphane significantly induced the population of sub-G1 cells (9.83 fold of control). This anti-proliferative effect of sulforaphane was accompanied by a marked inhibition of cyclin A and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)4 protein and concomitant induction of Cdc2, Cdk inhibitor p16 and p21. However, sulforaphane did not affect the levels of cyelooxygenases and telomere-regulatory gene products. Although further studies are needed, the present work suggests that sulforaphane may be a potential chemoprevetive/ chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of human cancer cells.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.233-238
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• 2008

This experiment was conducted to enhance the colored potatoes utilization and to determine the biological activity of colored potato extracts. In order to understand the factors responsible for the potent anti-oxidant ability of colored potatoes, it has been evaluated for anti-oxidative activity using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. 'Hongyoung' extract was significant anti-oxidant activities in ORAC assay. About two-fold higher radical absorbance capacity was found in 'Hongyoung' compared to that in 'Jayoung'. The ability of 80% ethanol extracts from colored potatoes to influence the inhibitory activity of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has also been investigated. The various therapeutic benefit claims in the new functional medicinal usage of colored potatoes ascribed to the phenolic compounds and anthocyanin. This result revealed that the extracts of colored potatoes are expected to be good candidate for development into sources of free radical scavenger or COX-2 inhibiting agents.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.67-85
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• 2006

Obiecnves : The purpose of this study was to examine the analgesic effect of moxi-tar on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis and the relations between moxi-tar-induced analgesia and endogenous NO and iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord. Methods : Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of moxi-tar as a chronic pain model. After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral injection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. Moxi-tar dissolved in ethyl alcohol was injected several acupoints. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Results : Moxi-tar produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3 mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. Moxi-tar produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by moxi-tar. moxi-tar on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either moxi-tar or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that moxi-tar produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and that moxi-tar-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.107-121
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• 2010

Objective: This study aimed to ascertain the curative effects of Gamisipjeon-tang (GST) used for wound healing on the skin regeneration of deep second degree burns in mice. Material & Methods: In vitro, the $I{\kappa}B$ kinase (IKK) mRNA expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression in the GST concentration from 1 mg/$m{\ell}$ to 10 mg/$m{\ell}$ were measured. In vivo, the mice were divided into four groups : the normal group, the BE group (burn-elicited group, control group), the DC group (Duoderm CGF-treated group after burn elicitation), and the GST group (Gamisipjeon-tang treated group after burn elicitation). To determine the anti-inflammatory effects, nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS, COX-2 positive reaction were measured by immunohistochemistry. To estimate the skin regenerative effects, change of burn area, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) positive reaction were analyzed. Results: In vitro, the iNOS, IKK, COX-2 mRNA expression decreased according to the increase of GST concentration. The significant decrease of COX-2, iNOS, NF-${\kappa}B$ positive reaction were the highest in the GST group, followed by the DC group and the BE group (p<0.05). The diameter of burn area was significantly decreased in the GST group as compared to that in the DC and BE group (p<0.05). The BrdU and FGF positive reaction increased more significantly in the GST group than in the DC group, and more significantly in the DC group than in the BE group on the 3rd and 7th day after burn (p<0.05). FGF positive reaction increased in the BE and DC group, whereas it decreased significantly in the GST group on the 14th day (p<0.05). The BrdU positive reaction increased in the BE group, whereas it decreased significantly in the DC and GST group on the 14th day (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that GST could decrease the inflammatory response and accelerate the skin regeneration as compared to the duoderm CGF in mice with deep second degree burns.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 2012

Previously, we reported that Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and gastric cancer are closely associated with increased levels of hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) and that Korean red ginseng significantly reduced the severity of H. pylori-associated gastric diseases by attenuating $H_2S$ generation. Because the incubation of endothelial cells with $H_2S$ has been known to enhance their angiogenic activities, we hypothesized that the amelioration of $H_2S$-induced gastric inflammation or angiogenesis in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) might explain the preventive effect of Korean red ginseng on H. pylori-associated carcinogenesis. The expression of inflammatory mediators, angiogenic growth factors, and angiogenic activities in the absence or presence of Korean red ginseng extracts (KRGE) were evaluated in HUVECs stimulated with the $H_2S$ generator sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS). KRGE efficiently decreased the expression of cystathionine ${\beta}$-synthase and cystathionine ${\gamma}$-lyase, enzymes that are essential for $H_2S$ synthesis. Concomitantly, a significant decrease in the expression of inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and several angiogenic factors, including interleukin (IL)-8, hypoxia inducible factor-1a, vascular endothelial growth factor, IL-6, and matrix metalloproteinases, was observed; all of these factors are normally induced after NaHS. An in vitro angiogenesis assay demonstrated that NaHS significantly increased tube formation in endothelial cells, whereas KRGE pretreatment significantly attenuated tube formation. NaHS activated p38 and Akt, increasing the expression of angiogenic factors and the proliferation of HUVECs, whereas KRGE effectively abrogated this $H_2S$-activated angiogenesis and the increase in inflammatory mediators in vascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, KRGE was able to mitigate $H_2S$-induced angiogenesis, implying that antagonistic action against $H_2S$-induced angiogenesis may be the mechanism underlying the gastric cancer preventive effects of KRGE in H. pylori infection.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.681-687
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• 2007

Biological properties of DongChongXiaCao extracts and culture supernatants were evaluated using DPPH and FRAP (antioxidants), Raw 264.7 (NO production), B16-F1 cells (cell migration activity) and HUVECs (angiogenesis activity). We found that antioxidant activity was higher in mycelium culture supernatants than in mycelial extracts. Mycelial extracts and culture supernatants inhibited or increased cyclooxygenase-2 transcription activity and NO production. Various extracts and culture supernatants inhibited B16 cell migration and motility, and inhibited HUVEC tube formation. These findings indicate that DongChongXiaCao extracts and products of mycelium could be a useful biological resource for anti-oxidant and anti-cancer purposes.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1026-1032
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• 2016

Citrus platymamma hort. ex Tanaka is widely used in traditional Korean medicine because of its medicinal benefits including an anti-inflammatory effect. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the flavonoid content and anti-inflammatory activities of C. platymamma during its harvest period. Fruit peel samples were obtained between September 2015 and February 2016. The results indicate that C. platymamma peel extract (CPE) was an effective inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. The inhibitory effects of CPE at $100{\mu}g/mL$ concentration included dose-dependent decreases in the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. In addition, CPE decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. The highest anti-inflammatory activity and flavonoid content were observed in CPE of C. platymamma peel harvested during the immature fruit period in September. Further, to assess the suitability of CPE for cosmetic use, we performed MTT assays using HaCaT keratinocytes and observed that CPE did not exhibit any cytotoxicity. To test the potential application of CPE as a cosmetic material, we also performed primary skin irritation tests on normal skin of 30 volunteers and no adverse reactions were observed. The results of this study indicate that CPE may be considered as an anti-inflammatory candidate for inclusion in cosmetic materials.