• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.206-213
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of mangiferin isolated from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, a natural polyphenol, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Mangiferin dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ productions in RAW 264.7 macrophages and peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Consistent with these data, mangiferin suppressed the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein and mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. In addition, the release of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the mRNA expression levels of these cytokines were reduced by mangiferin in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mangiferin effectively inhibited the transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-kappa B $(NF-{\kappa}B)$. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of mangiferin are caused by iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 down-regulation due to $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ inhibition in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.237-240
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• 2014

Endoglin (also known as CD105 or TGF-${\beta}$ type III receptor) is a co-receptor involved in TGF-${\beta}$ signaling. In atherosclerosis, TGF-${\beta}$ signaling is crucial in regulating disease progression owing to its anti-inflammatory effects as well as its inhibitory effects on smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Endoglin is a regulator of TGF-${\beta}$ signaling, but its role in atherosclerosis has yet to be defined. This review focuses on the roles of the various forms of endoglin in atherosclerosis. The expression of the two isoforms of endoglin (long-form and short-form) is increased in atherosclerotic lesions, and the expression of the soluble forms of endoglin is upregulated in sera of patients with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Interestingly, long-form endoglin shows an atheroprotective effect via the induction of eNOS expression, while short-form and soluble endoglin enhance atherogenesis by inhibiting eNOS expression and TGF-${\beta}$ signaling. This review summarizes evidence suggesting that the different forms of endoglin have distinct roles in atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.403-408
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• 2011

Objective : Contrary to some clinical belief, there were quite a few studies regarding animal models of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) $in$ $vivo$ suggesting that prior use of statins may improve outcome after ICH. This study reports the effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor, simvastatin given before experimental ICH. Methods : Fifty-one rats were subjected to collagenase-induced ICH, subdivided in 3 groups according to simvastatin treatment modality, and behavioral tests were done. Hematoma volume, brain water content and hemispheric atrophy were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining for microglia (OX-42) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was performed and caspase-3 activity was also measured. Results : Pre-simvastatin therapy decreased inflammatory reaction and perihematomal cell death, but resulted in no significant reduction of brain edema and no eNOS expression in the perihematomal region. Finally, prior use of simvastatin showed less significant improvement of neurological outcome after experimental ICH when compared to post-simvastatin therapy. Conclusion : The present study suggests that statins therapy after ICH improves neurological outcome, but prior use of statins before ICH might provide only histological improvement, providing no significant impact on neurological outcome against ICH.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.34-47
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• 2017

Objectives In the past, studies have been shown that Forsythiae Fructus (FF), Ulmi Cortex (UC) and JwaGwiEum (JGE) are effective in treating allergic reactions. However, no report shows the difference in effects of FF, UC and JGE in allergic rhinitis (AR). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to differentiate the effects of FF, UC and JGE in AR induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in mice. Methods From this experiment, the effects of FF, UC and JGE were several - changes in body weight, hematologic changes such as WBC, RBC, Hb and PLT counts, immunological changes such as levels of histamine, IgE, IL-4 and expressions of iNOS & COX-2 mRNA. Moreover, histological change of nasal mucosa was also investigated. Results FF administration group and JGE administration group significantly inhibited level of IgE compared to the control group. Also, FF administration group, UC administration group and JGE administration group inhibited IL-4 and expressions of iNOS & COX-2 mRNA. In histological assessment, FF administration group, UC administration group and JGE administration group showed reduced amount of subepithelial edema, desquamated mucosa and hyperplasia of basement membrane from OVA.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.143-149
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to elucidate the anti-inflammatory activity of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) ethanolic extract fractions (CFEFs). Butanol fraction had the strongest antioxidant activity, and all CFEFs, except for chloroform fraction, partly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite production in RAW 264.7 cells. In the cell-free system, hexane and butanol fractions chemically quenched nitric oxide (NO). In addition, the iNOS mRNA transcription was suppressed by ethanol extract and hexane fraction in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, the inhibitory effect of CFEFs on NO production from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, might be due to both the chemical NO quenching activity and the suppression of iNOS mRNA transcription partially. The synthesis of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was potently inhibited by ethanol extract to below basal label, and the transcription of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme involving in $PGE_2$ synthesis, was partially suppressed by ethanol extract and hexane fraction. Based on these results, CFEFs may be useful as an alternative medicine for the relief and retardation of immunological inflammatory responses through the reduction of inflammatory mediators, including NO and $PGE_2$ production.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.123-128
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• 2011

Caesalpinia sappan (C. sappan) is a medicinal plant used for promoting blood circulation and removing stasis. During a screening procedure on medicinal plants, the ethylacetate extract of the lignum of C. sappan (CLE) showed inhibitory activity on arginase which has recently been reported as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. CLE inhibited arginase II activity prepared from kidney lysate in a dose-dependent manner. In HUVECs, inhibition of arginase activity by CLE reciprocally increased NOx production through enhancement of eNOS dimer stability without any significant changes in the protein levels of eNOS and arginase II expression. Furthermore, CLE-dependent arginase inhibition resulted in increase of NO generation and decrease of superoxide production on endothelium of isolated mice aorta. These results indicate that CLE augments NO production on endothelium through inhibition of arginase activity, and may imply their usefulness for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.13-17
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammation effect of Potentilla chinensis (PC) on Raw264.7 macrophage cells. Ethanol extract of PC decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Ethanol extract was fractioned by n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, water and each fraction was tested for inhibitory effects on inflammation. Among the sequential solvent fractions, PC chloroform extracts (50, 100, 300, and 500 ${\mu}g/mL$) significantly suppressed LPS-stimulated production of NO. During the entire experimental period, 200 and 300 ${\mu}g/mL$ of PC chloroform extracts had no cytotoxicity. LPS-induced NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production were inhibited by PC chloroform extracts up to 50% and 90% of these productions, respectively. PC chloroform extracts reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 gene. These results suggest that PC chloroform extracts exhibit strong effects of anti-inflammation and can be a potential candidate in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제62권3호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic and anti-hypertensive effects of six different plant extracts using a N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced rat model of hypertension. All extracts were administered orally for six weeks. At the end of the study period blood pressure, blood flow, aortic histopathology, and hepatic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression were measured. Subsequently, we also measured the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide (NO), and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro. Based on these screening results, we selected extracts of Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) and Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza) for further evaluation. C. cassia and S. miltiorrhiza extracts ameliorated hypertension and atherosclerosis in L-NAME-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, a mixture of C. cassia and S. miltiorrhiza had an additive effect to reduce blood pressure, increase blood flow, and normalize aortic tissue. This mixture demonstrated anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. In conclusion, although further analysis of the therapeutic mechanism is required, the anti-hypertensive and anti-atherosclerotic effects of this mixture are likely mediated by increased eNOS expression, and its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.189-195
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• 2009

Objectives : In this study, the effect of Dipsaci Radix(DR, Dipsacus asperoides C.Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai) water extract on LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells were investigated. Methods : Dried roots of DR was extracted with water for 3 h(DR-W extract). RAW264.7 cells, a mouse macrophage line, were incubated with different concentrations of DR-W extract for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS at indicated times. Cell toxicity was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) were measured by Griess assay and enzyme immunoassay (EIA), respectively. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthease (iNOS) and cyclooxyganase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Results : DR-W extract was significantly inhibited LPS-induced productions of NO and PGE2 in RAW264.7 cells. DR-W extract was not suppressed the expressions of iNOS mRNA and protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusions : This study suggests that DR-W extract can attenuate inflammatory response via inhibition of the NO and PGE2 production in activated macrophages.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.1340-1347
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• 2024

Ehretia asperula is a medicinal plant of the Ehretiaceae family used to treat inflammatory disorders, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. The anti-inflammatory potential was determined based on enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition, which showed that the 95% ethanol extract (95ECH) was most effective with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 34.09 ㎍/mL. The effects of 95ECH on phagocytosis, NO production, gene, and protein expression of the cyclooxygenase 2/prostaglandin E2 (COX-2/PGE2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase/ nitric oxide (iNOS/NO) pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells were examined using the neutral red uptake and Griess assays, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results showed that 95ECH suppressed phagocytosis and the NO production in activated macrophage cells (p < 0.01). Conversely, 95ECH regulated the expression levels of mRNAs for cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) as well as the corresponding proteins. In addition, PGE2 production was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by 95ECH, and the expression of iNOS and COX-2 mRNAs was decreased in activated macrophage cells, as expected. Therefore, 95ECH from E. asperula leaves contains potentially valuable compounds for use in inflammation management.