• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.116-126
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the anti-inflammatory effect of Chung-Dae Indigo Pulverata Levis, indigo naturalis) produced during indigo dyeing. As a result of in vitro cytotoxicity experiments using RAW 264.7 cell, Chung-Dae extract did not inhibit cell proliferation in Raw 264.7 cells in the range of 1~32 ㎍/mL. NO production was significantly reduced when Chung-Dae extracts were treated at concentrations of 2, 8, and 32 ㎍/mL (p<0.05). The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IFN-γ significantly decreased when the Chung-Dae extract was treated at concentrations of 2, 8, and 32 ㎍/mL compared to the LPS group, and similarly, the TNFα and IL-6 mRNA levels also decreased. Additionally, the mRNA level of COX-2 was also suppressed. At the protein expression level, the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2 were observed with LPS and Chung-Dae extract significantly decreased compared to the group treated with only LPS (p<0.05). From the above results, it shows that Chung-Dae extract, a plant-derived compound, inhibits the inflammatory response induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells. and in particular, regulates the inflammatory response by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related enzymes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.310-318
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• 2022

The fruits of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) (PT) Steud. have been reported to exert a variety of biological activities. A previous study confirmed that compounds isolated from PT fruits (PTF) exerted anti-inflammatory effects on TNF-α-stimulated airway epithelial cells. However, there is no report on the protective effects of PTF on acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we examined the ameliorative effects of PTF in an experimental animal model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. In ALI mice, increased levels of inflammatory cell influx were confirmed in the lungs of mice, and an increase of microphage numbers, TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 production and protein content were detected in mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. However, these increases were significantly reversed with PTF pretreatment. In addition, PTF inhibited the increased expression of iNOS and COX-2 in the lungs of ALI mice. Furthermore, the upregulation of MAPK and NF-κB activation was decreased in the lungs of ALI mice by PTF. In the in vitro experiment, PTF pretreatment exerted an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the secretion of nitric oxide, TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Collectively, these results indicated that PTF has ameliorative effects on airway inflammation in an experimental animal model of ALI.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2020

Noni has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 2,000 years in South Pacific Polynesia, China and India, and has been heavily ingested as an extract for its excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, a recent study found that the noni extract causes digestive disorders, kidney problems, and liver diseases, which made it necessary to use it for other purposes than as an extract. In this study, we want to evaluate the potential of noni as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkling agent. Methods: Noni was freeze-dried, extracted in water, and concentrated. Skin cells were treated with the noni extract for 24 hrs and then were exposed to UVB (55 mJ/cm²). After 48 hrs of incubation, pro-inflammatory cytokine, elastase, MMP-1 and type-1 procollagen levels were measured by ELISA. Results: To find out the antioxidant effect of the noni extract, the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity experiments were conducted and the noni extract showed 97.0 % and 92.0 % antioxidant efficacy at 200 ㎍/mL respectively. The noni extract (50 and 100 ㎍/mL) decreased IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS in a concentration-dependent manner. In the RT-PCR experiment involving NO production, the noni extract (50 and 100 ㎍/mL) inhibited NO production by strongly inhibiting iNOS mRNA expression, and also inhibited the elevation of MMP-1 and elastases caused by UVB irradiation by 25.0 % and 7.0 % respectively. In addition, type-1 procollagen was elevated by 20.0 % by the noni extract treatment in HaCaT cells. Conclusion: The noni extract has photoprotective ability by reducing proinflammatory mediators, elastase and MMP-1 production, and elevation of collagen synthesis. Our findings suggest that the noni extract might be a good natural substance to protect against UVB-induced premature skin aging.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2022

Neuroinflammation is defined as a neurological inflammation within the brain and the spinal cord. In neuroinflammation, microglia are the tissue-resident macrophages of the central nervous system, which act as the first line of defense against harmful pathogens. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has an anti-inflammatory effect in many neurological conditions. Additionally, the microRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a-5p) mimic has been proven to be effective in macrophages in inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of both miR-30a-5p and Dex in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 cells. This study showed that miR-30a-5p and Dex decreased nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) translocation in LPS-induced BV2 cells. MiR-30a-5p and Dex alleviated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), LPS-induced phosphorylation c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38. Also, the expression of the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome (NLRP3), cleaved caspase-1, and ASC was inhibited. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were attenuated by Dex and miR-30a-5p. Our results indicate that a combination of Dex and miR-30a-5p, attenuates NF-κB activation, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and inflammatory mediators involved in LPS-induced inflammation and inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in LPS-activated BV2 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.513-520
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Cheonggukjang pills with aronia and blueberries on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. There have been several reports that Cheonggukjang is effective for intestinal health, but the efficacy of Cheonggukjang containing fruits has not yet been reported. In this study, we showed the effect of cheonggukjang pills with blueberries and aronia (CPBA) on DSS-induced colitis in BALB/c mice. CPBA was obtained from Soonchang Moonokae foods and orally administered once a day for 2 weeks before DSS treatment. Colitis was induced in mice by feeding 5% (w/v) DSS drinking water for 7 days. The results showed that CPBA treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced disease activity index associated with a decrease in colon length. CPBA improved DSS-induced histological changes and intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in mice colon. In addition, CPBA administration significantly reduced the levels of DSS-mediated interferon-γ and interleukin-6 in serum and tumor necrosis factor-α in colon tissue. Moreover, the gene expression of COX-2 and iNOS, which are factors involved in inflammatory signaling, was significantly reduced by CPBA treatment. These results suggest that CPBA have a protective effect against DSS-induced mice colitis and may be a candidate for colitis treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.399-410
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• 2022

To enhance the bioavailability and bioactivities of mixed herbal medicines (RW), they were fermented with lactic-acid bacteria isolated from kimchi into postbiotics (FRW). Then, from the results of the 16s rRNA sequencing analysis, lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi were identified to be of two species, namely Lactobacillus sakei and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The FRW prepared from the RW were extracted using hot water (HW) and 70% EtOH (EtOH) for comparison of their macrophage-stimulating activities. Based on a comparison of the activities of the FRW extracts, nitric oxide (NO) production of HW was significantly higher than that in EtOH. An analysis of the chemical properties of the extracts showed that HW had higher contents of neutral sugar and uronic acid than EtOH as well as contained a large amount of glucose. In addition, crude polysaccharide (CP) was prepared to enhance the macrophage-stimulating activity. The FRW-CP not only secreted immunostimulatory mediators but also increased the expression of immunostimulatory genes (iNOS, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6). The fractionated FRW-CP contained about 90% neutral sugars, and these sugars were mainly composed of glucose, galacturonic acid, and arabinose. Thus, FRW prepared by fermentation of RW with kimchi lactic acid bacteria were found to be immunostimulatory modulators.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Objectives : ROS are involved in a wide spectrum of diseases including chronic inflammation and cancer. S.chinensis Baill, a perennial herb commonly called Chinese lizard's tail or Sam-baek-cho in Korea, is used for the treatment of edema and inflammatory diseases in the Oriental folk medicine. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effects of the two extracts, water(WE) and ethyl acetate(EAE) from S.chinensis Baill. Methods : Anti-oxidant activity was evaluated using Fe2+ chelating and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. DNA cleavage assay, and western blot and immunostaining for phospho-p65 were performed to evaluate anti-oxidative effect. Anti-inflammatory effect was performed using NO generation assay and western blot in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell. Results : In Fe2+ chelating activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, WE showed more strong scavenging activity for hydroxyl radical than EAE. WE scavenged hydroxyl radical by 12% at 3.2 ${\mu}g/ml$, 21% at 16 ${\mu}g/ml$, 32% at 80 ${\mu}g/ml$, 66% at 400 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 82% at 2000 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, WE showed more strong chelating activity than EAE. WE chelated Fe2+ ion by 1.1% at 3.2 ${\mu}g/ml$, 8.2% at 16 ${\mu}g/ml$, 26.3% at 80 ${\mu}g/ml$, 72% at 400 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 89% at 2000 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Also, WE inhibited oxidative damage via its anti-oxidant activity. In anti-inflammatory effect, EAE inhibited NO production and iNOS expression. In addition EAE suppressed the NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPK signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : Together, these data indicate that S. chinensis Baill, shows anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.83-90
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• 2012

Objectives : Modified Bo-Yang-Hwan-O-Tang (mBHT) is a polyherbal medicine of twelve herbs traditionally used in the treatment of cerebral and cardiac stroke and vascular dementia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect, pyramidal neuronal cell, inflammation and apoptosis of mBHT against global ischemia in rats. Methods : Global ischemia was produced by two-vessel occlusion(2-VO) in SD male rats. mBHT at dose of 500 mg/kg was orally administrated for 2 weeks or 6 weeks after global ischemia. The histopathological changes of ischemic brain were observed by staining of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Nissl and immunohistochemisty with anti-GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) antibody as a astrocyte marker. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and apoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 was determined by western blot. Results : mBHT treatment significantly inhibited the pyramidal neuronal loss in CA1 of hippocampus of global ischemic rats by 2-VO. mBHT also suppressed the activation of astrocytes in the CA1 at 6 weeks after ischemia. In addition, mBHT significantly increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2 on iscemic brain, and significantly attenuated the expression of apoptotic proteins, Bax and caspase-3. Conclusions : These results indicate that mBHT inhibits neuronal cell damage induced in global ischemia by 2-VO, suggesting that mBHT may be a potential candidate for the treatment of vascular dementia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-75
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Orostachydis Herba (OH) and Fermented OH (OHF) against the acute liver injury by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods : OHF by 4 lactic bacteria such as (Lactobacillus hilgardii (OHF1), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (OHF2), Pediococcus acidilactici (OHF3), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (OHF4)) were prepared. Samples were selected to OHF0, OHF2, OHF3 based on UPLC analysis, DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities. To evaluate the protective effect of OHF on liver injury mice, ICR mice were divided into 5 groups: Normal mice (Nor), LPS (20 mg/kg) treated mice (Veh), administrated OHF0, OHF2 OHF3 200 mg/kg body weight during 8 days before LPS injection. Serum and liver were collected 24 hours after LPS injection. Results : The activity was high in order of OHF0 and OHF3 in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. The quercetin contents for bioactive ingredient of OH was 5.39, kaempferol contents was 9.94 by UPLC analysis. The LPS-treated vehicle group significantly increased liver weight, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in serum. In contrast, administrated OHF3 group decreased liver weight, AST, ALT. In addition, OHF3 groups reduced the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum and tissues. Moreover, AP-1, iNOS and COX-2 were significantly decreased in OHF2 and OHF3. But $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ only showed a significant reduction in OHF3. Conclusions : Therefore, these results suggest that fermented Orostachydis Herba might be protective effect on liver injury through anti-oxidant effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Corni Fructus, the dried fruits of Cornus officinalis Sieb., on unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (UCCAO) in mouse model. Methods : The Corni Fructus used in the experiment was extracted with anhydrous methanol, then filtered and freeze-dried. C57BL/6 mice used in the experiments were conducted left UCCAO surgery to set up UCCAO rodent model for mice. The mice were divided into five groups for evaluate the effect of methanol extract of Corni Fructus (COM) on UCCAO induced ischemic brain injury. The expression levels of nitric oxide in cerebrum and serum, body weight change were measured. To determine the effect of UCCAO and COM administration on brain neurons, morphological changes of the cerebrum through a microscope was conducted. And western blot was performed to confirm the underlying mechanism of neuroprotective effect of COM administration. Results : COM administered UCCAO groups (CO50, CO150, and CO500) had no significant effects on nitric oxide production in ipsilateral hemisphere proteins and sera. The CO500, 500 mg/kg COM administration, attenuated UCCAO-induced p38 inflammatory signaling pathway and inflammatory mediators such as iNOS and COX-2. The CO500 group showed resilient morphological changes of hippocampus neuronal cells about brain damage caused by decreased flow of blood. These group also showed decreased inflammation and cellular stress response in neuronal cells. Conclusions : From these results, COM has a neuroprotective property via moderating inflammatory factors and cellular stress inducing factors in brain cells.