• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.246-250
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• 2019

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn has been usedas a traditional remedy and food source in South Korea. It promotes gastrointestinal function and controls blood pressures. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn water extracts supplement at 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ after a 48 h pre-treatment with the mitogen (ConA or LPS) increased the mouse splenocytes proliferation. Water extract supplement also increased the cytokine production ($IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$), measured by a cytokine ELISA kit. For the result of in vitro study, the proliferation of splenocytes and cytokine production activated by peritoneal macrophages increased when water extracts were supplemented in the range of $50{\sim}500{\mu}L/mL$ concentration. Specifically, the levels of the splenocytes proliferation, $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ were the highest at $250{\mu}L/mL$ concentration. This in vitro study suggestedthat supplementation with Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing the cytokine production activating macrophage in vitro.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.510-514
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• 2017

Plantago asiatica L., observed frequently in East Asia, is a known herb used in traditional medical remedies several studies report that P. asiatica L has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. To determine the production of cytokines (IL-2, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and non-LPS-stimulated macrophages, an ELISA assay was conducted using cytokine kits. Mice splenocytes were cultured for 48 h with various concentrations of P. asiatica L. (5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and $1,000{\mu}g/mL$) or with mitogens (ConA or LPS). P. asiatica L. increased the proliferation of mice splenocytes, especially under the condition of its concentration ranging from 250 to $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, Plantago asiatica L. notably induced cytokine production of (IL-2, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) at its concentration of $250{\sim}500{\mu}g/mL$. These results suggest that supplementation with P. asiatica L. water extracts may play a potential role in enhancing immune function by mediating splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production through its anti-inflammatory activit.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.250-256
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• 2008

Red ginseng is a medicinal herb widely used in East-Asia for a long time. Recently there have been a lot of studies about the effect of red ginseng on the immune responses. We investigated the differences between Korean red ginseng and Chinese red ginseng in the lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. The rats were divided into 3 groups, KRG(Korean Red Ginseng) group, CRG(Chinese Red Ginseng) group, and the Control group. Experimental groups were administered with Korean and Chinese red ginsengs for three months respectively. Then we obtained the lymphatic cells from spleen and compared the ability of KRG on the lymphocyte proliferation and the cytokine production after mitogen-stimulated culture to CRG. The proliferation of lymphocyte and level of $IL-1{\alpha}$ were significantly increased only in KRG group. There were significant increases in the level of $INF-{\gamma}$ in both KRG and CRG groups. There were no significant differences in the level of IL-2 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. These results indicate that KRG can induce infection-relevant immune responses much faster and higher than CRG. Furthermore, functional activation of CD8+ T-cell may be activated by red ginsengs.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2016

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by dysregulatory production of proinflammatory cytokines and helper T (Th) cytokine-dependent autoantibody production. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of baicalin on the dysregulatory production of proinflammatory cytokines and Th cytokines in pristane-induced lupus mice. Mice were received i.p. a single injection of 0.5 ml of pristane, and then, later about 3 months, were used as a pristane-induced lupus model. The pristane-induced lupus mice were administrated orally with baicalin 50 mg/kg once in a day for 10 days. Immune cells obtained from the pristane-primed lupus control group (lupus control) and baicalin-treated pristaneprimed lupus mouse group (BAC lupus) were cultured for 24 h or 36 h with/without mitogens. These results demonstrated that LPS-induced production of macrophage and splenic TNF-${\alpha}$ and Con A-induced production of thymic IFN-${\gamma}$ were attenuated in BAC lupus compared to lupus control, while LPS-stimulated production of macrophage IL-10, Con A-stimulated production of splenic IL-10 and, $PGE_2$-reduced production of splenic IFN-${\gamma}$ enhanced. Therefore, these findings suggest that baicalin may protect from autoimmunity and disease activity in lupus via modulatory effect of proinflammatory cytokine overproduction and Th cytokine imbalance.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 1993

The native connective tissue attachment of the periodontium is known to be a complex consisting of gingival fibroblasts, periodontal ligament cells, gingival epithelial cells, cementum, alveolar bone and extensive extracellular matrix (collagen, glycoprotein and proteoglycans). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of natural extracts on DNA, collagen and protein synthesis and inhibition of cytokine production in the gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts and gingival epithelial cells. Healthy gingival tissue was obtained from orthodontic treatment patients, and gingival epithelial cells, gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells were isolated and cultured from the samples. After treated with Ginseng protein, Pluronic F-68, Scutellariae Radix, centella asiatica, PDGF, IGF, DNA synthesis, total protein and collagen synthesis, and cytokine production of gingival epithelial cell, gingival fibroblast and periodontal ligamentcells were measured. MTT method for DNA synthesis, Peterkofsky and Dingerman method for total protein and collagen synthesis, and IL-1 ELISA kit for cytokine production were used. The proliferation of epithelial cells was enhanced in Centella asiatica, Ginseng protein, Pluronic F-68 and Scutellariae Radix. The activities of PDL cells were increased in PDGF, IGF, and Pluronic F-68. Higher collagen synthesis was observed in Scutellariae Radix and total protein synthesis was increased in Scutellariae Radix and PDGF. The inhibitory effects on IL-1, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ were observed in all exrracts.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1517-1526
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• 2016

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented foods have potential as a treatment for immune-related disorders and the use of LAB has been increasing worldwide. In this study, the differential cytokine regulatory effect was examined with three isolates of lactobacilli strains; namely, Lactobacillus plantarum K55-5 isolated from dairy product, and L. sakei K101 and L. plantarum K8 previously isolated from kimchi (a Korean traditional fermented vegetable). Production of cytokines such as IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α was significantly increased in L. sakei K101- and L. plantarum K55-5-treated splenocytes as compared with controls. The oral administration of L. sakei K101 and L. plantarum K55-5 increased cytokine production in the immunosuppressed mouse splenocytes and blood. NK cell cytotoxic activity was also increased in L. sakei K101- and L. plantarum K55-5-fed mice. On the other hand, L. plantarum K8 did not affect cytokine induction in all the experiments performed in this study. The cytokine-inducing effect of L. plantarum K55-5 was significantly increased by lysates of heat-killed bacteria as compared with live, heat-killed, or supernatant of cell lysates. TNF-α production by lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) isolated from the three isolates of lactobacilli was compared, and it was found that K55-5 LTA had a highest cytokine-inducing ability, which was mediated by TLR2-mediated NF-κB and ERK activation. Taken together, our study suggests that L. plantarum K55-5 and L. sakei K101 can be used for the treatment of immunosuppressed disorders.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.16
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• 2022

Foreign molecules, including viruses and bacteria-derived toxins, can also induce airway inflammation. However, to the best of our knowledge, the roles of these molecules in the development of airway inflammation have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated the precise role and synergistic effect of virus-mimicking double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in macrophages and epithelial cells. To identify cytokine expression profiles, both the THP-1-derived macrophages and BEAS-2B epithelial cells were stimulated with dsRNA or SEB. A total of 21 cytokines were evaluated in the culture supernatants. We observed that stimulation with dsRNA induced cytokine production in both cell types. However, cytokine production was not induced in SEB-stimulated epithelial cells, compared to the macrophages. The synergistic effect of dsRNA and SEB was evaluated observing cytokine level and intracellular phospho-signaling. Fifteen different types were detected in high-dose dsRNA-stimulated epithelial cells, and 12 distinct types were detected in macrophages; those found in macrophages lacked interferon production compared to the epithelial cells. Notably, a synergistic effect of cytokine induction by co-stimulation of dsRNA and SEB was observed mainly in epithelial cells, via activation of most intracellular phosphor-signaling. However, macrophages only showed an accumulative effect. This study showed that the type and severity of cytokine productions from the epithelium or macrophages could be affected by different intensities and a combination of dsRNA and SEB. Further studies with this approach may improve our understanding of the development and exacerbation of airway inflammation and asthma.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.2 s.145
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• pp.110-115
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• 2006

Melittia inouei (Yuri Nabang) larvae are used as a crude drug in East Asia for treating stomach cancer and inflammation, and currently reared as a pharmaceutical insect in Jejudo, Korea. This study evaluated the immuno-modulating activity of these extracts, by determining the level of, cytokine production from mouse splenocytes stimulated with the extracts. The Melittia inouei larvae extracts did not induce the splenocyte proliferation. On the other hand, they stimulated the splenocytes to produce cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, whereas they did not stimulate IL10, IL12 or $IFN-{\gamma}$. The aqueous portion of its plant (Tri-chosanthis kirilowii) extract (sap) was found to be a potent inducer of NO production from the CPAE cells. However, it showed weak inhibitory effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production from splenocytes. These data suggests that a Melittia inouei larvae extract immune modulatory activity in cytokine prodcutions such as $TNF-{\alpha}$ and VEGF which might be related its anticancer effect.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.54-65
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• 2012

1. Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of TAM (Taraxacum mongolicum) on Th2 cytokine production in MC/9 mast cells. 2. Methods : The effects of TAM was analyzed by ELISA and Real-time PCR in MC/9 mast cells. Levels of IL-5, IL-13 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA). mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 were analyzed with Real-time PCR. 3. Results : 1) TAM inhibited the IL-4 production significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$, $100{\mu}g/ml$, $200{\mu}g/ml$. 2) TAM inhibited the IL-13 production significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$, $100{\mu}g/ml$, $200{\mu}g/ml$. 3) TAM inhibited the IL-4 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. 4) TAM inhibited the IL-5 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$, $100{\mu}g/ml$. 5) TAM inhibited the IL-6 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. 6) TAM inhibited the IL-13 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. 4. Conclusions : These results indicate that TAM (Taraxacum mongolicum) has the effect of decreasing the Th2 cytokine production in the MC/9 mast cell.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.791-795
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• 2008

In the present study, Cordyceps sinensis extract (CSE) was evaluated to determine if it could protect pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells against cytokine-induced cytotoxicity of RINm5F cells. Treatment of cells with cytokines resulted in a decrease of viability, which was caused by increase of nitric oxide (NO) production. CSE protected cytokine-mediated viability reduction in a concentration-dependent manner. Incubation with CSE also induced a significant suppression of cytokine-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein and NO production. The molecular mechanism by which CSE inhibited iNOS protein expression appeared to involve the inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. The cytokine-stimulated RIN cells showed increases in $NF-{\kappa}B$ binding activity compared to unstimulated cells. However, pretreatment with CSE inhibited cytokines-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation in RINm5F cells.