• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1220-1225
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• 2004

The overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is known to be responsible for vasodilation and hypotension observed in septic shock and inflammation. Inhibitors of iNOS, thus, may be useful candidates for the treatment of inflammatory diseases accompanied by overproduction of NO. In the course of screening oriental anti-inflammatory herbs for the inhibitory activity of NO synthesis, a crude methanolic extract of Curcuma zedoaria exhibited significant activity. The activity-guided fractionation and repetitive chromatographic procedures with the EtOAc soluble fraction allowed us to isolate three active compounds. They were identified as 1,7-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one (1), procurcumenol (2) and epiprocurcumenol (3) by spectral data analyses. Their concentrations for the 50% inhibition of NO production $(IC_{50})$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages were 8, 75, 77 ${\mu}M$, respectively. Compound 1 showed the most potent inhibitory activity for NO production in LPS-activated macrophages, while the epimeric isomers, compound 2 and 3 showed weak and similar potency. Inhibition of NO synthesis by compound 1 was very weak when activated macrophages were treated with 1 after iNOS induction. In the immunoblot analysis, compound 1 suppressed the expression of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, 1,7-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one from Curcuma zedoaria inhibited NO production in LPS-activated macrophages through suppression of iNOS expression. These results imply that the traditional use of C. zedoaria rhizome as anti-inflammatory drug may be explained at least in part, by inhibition of NO production.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.60-67
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• 2000

Objectives : Radix Angelicae Gigantis(RAG) and Resina Ferulae(RF) have been used in oriental medicine or folk medicine to increase stamina. The aim of this study was the characterization of the mechanism of action of RAG and RF on smooth muscle and macrophages in rats to find new substances for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases and immune dysfunction. Methods : We investigated the effects of the water extracts of RAG and RF on phenylephrine or KCl-contracted rat endothelium-denuded aorta, the production of NO in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and the production of NO and induction of iNOS in the $IFN-{\gamma}-primed$ RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The water extracts of the RAG and RF showed significant concentration-dependent relaxation effects on phenylephrine or KCl-contracted rat endothelium-denuded aorta. It also reduced the tension of the rat endothelium denuded aorta which was contracted in $Ca^{2+}-free$ media. On the other hand, it increased production of NO in VSMC which was stimulated with $IL-{\beta}$ or $IL-{\beta}$ plus $IFN-{\gamma}$. The water extracts of RAG and RF increased production of NO and induction of iNOS in the $IFN-{\gamma}-primed$ RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : According to the above results, the water extracts of RAG and RF relaxed the smooth muscle effectively and increased the production of NO in VSMC and macrophages. So, these herbs can be applied to erectile dysfunction, hypertension, angina pectoris, artherosclerosis and a defense defect for virus or microbe.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1244-1250
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• 2005

The anti-inflammatory activity of Eurya emarginata (Thumb) Makino, of which leaves have been traditionally used to treat ulcers or diuretic in Jeju Island, has been investigated in the present study. Through the phytochemical study from the methanol extract of E. emaginiata, eutigosides Band C were isolated as the active components. Sseveral inflammatory markers including TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, NO, iNOS, and COX-2 were examined. Eutigosides Band C potentially inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the intracellular contents of iNOS protein were markedly decreased after treatment with eutigosides Band C. The inhibition of iNOS activity was correlated with the decrease in nitrite levels. These results suggest that eutigoside Band C from E. emarginata may have anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6), iNOS and COX-2.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.317-322
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• 2012

In this study we investigated the effects of supplementation with fucoidan from brown alga on the function of natural-killer (NK) cells to evaluate the possibility as an immunomodulator in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. A total of 18 female Wistar rats (six weeks) were used this study and 12 rats were OVX, and the rest of rats were sham-operated. The sham and one OVX group were fed standard diet, and the remaining OVX group received fucoidan (0.05% supplemented diet). After 12 weeks of supplementation, rats were sacrificed to assess the tumoricidal activity of the NK cells and the NO-iNOS regulation from splenocytes. The mass of body and the immune organs such as spleen and thymus were also studied. In OVX rats, body and thymus weights increased, however fucoidan supplementation did not change the body mass and organs weight compared to OVX group. Fucoidan supplementation increased NK cell activity and reduced NO-iNOS production in OVX rats. Ex vivo treatment of fucoidan increased NK cell activity in splenocytes from shame and OVX rats. Ex vivo, we confirmed that fucoidan partially reduced the NK cell activity in the presence of iNOS inhibitors in OVX-splenocytes. These results indicate fucoidan supplementation has a NK cell tumoricidal activity, which are regulated by the iNOS production in OVX rats. This suggests that fucoidan is useful for potential therapeutic strategies as a nutrient in regulating the NK cells in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.20 no.1 s.32
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• pp.1-15
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• 2007

Objectives : RVC has long been used for a useful natural agent ameliorating inflammation related symptoms in the folk medicine recipe. This study was performed to investigate effects of RVC on the inflammation and oxidation in RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : The RVC was extracted with 80% ethanol and sequentially partitioned with solvents in order to increase polarity. With the various fractions, we determined the activities on the inflammation and oxidation in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : 1. Among the various solvent extracts of RVC, the butanol fraction showed the most powerful inhibitory ability against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells without affecting cell viability. 2. Butanol fraction showed a oxidation inhibition effect by decreasing the DPPH and OH radicals. 3. Butanol fraction exhibited the inhibitory avilities against iNOS and COX-2. 4. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Westem blotting analysis revealed that the BuOH fraction provided a primary inhibitor of the iNOS protein and mRNA expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Among the up-regulater molecules of iNOS and COX-2, the BuOh fraction of RVC was shown the inhibitory activity of phoshporylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2 and threonine protein kinase (AKT), the one of the MAPKs pathway. Conclusion : Thus, the present study suggests that the response of a component of the BuOH fraction to NO generation via iNOS expression provide a important clue to elucidate anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation mechanism of RVC.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.311-318
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• 2003

Eurya emarginata (Thunb.) Makino (Theaceae) is distributed in coastal areas of island. The leaves of Eurya are used in the traditional medicine of the coastal areas of jeju island with the aim of diuresis or to treat ulcers. Nevertheless, there are few reports on the biological activity and constituents of E. emarginata. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological activity of the solvent extracts of E. emarginata on the several inflammatory markers (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, NO, iNOS and COX-2). Also we examined the antioxidizing effect of the solvent extracts by determination of DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Among the solvent fractions, EtOAc and BuOH extracts showed potent radical scavenging activity (RC$_{50}$=10.9 and 12.7 respectively). The subtractions of EF 5-4-6-3-2 and BF 1 potentially inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mι. Also the fractions inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mι. And then, the inhibition of iNOS was correlated with the decrease of nitrite level. These results suggest that E. emarginata may have anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, iNOS and COX-2.2.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Tanghwajitongsan(THJTS) through inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK. Methods : We evaluated cell survival rate by MTT assay, NO production by nitrite content in the culture medium. We quantified TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE₂ of the cultured supernatant by ELISA. And we evaluated the effect of THJTS on protein expression of NF-κB, MAPK, iNOS and COX-2 by Western blot analysis. THJTS ameliorates LPS-activated alterations in protein expression of NF-κB, p-38, iNOS and COX-2 and production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂. Also, THJTS ameliorates LOX, PGN and FLA-activated alterations in protein expression of NO, iNOS. THJTS ameliorates only PGN-activated alterations in protein expression of COX-2. Results : THJTS ameliorates LPS-activated alterations in protein expression of NF-κB, p-38, iNOS and COX-2 and production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂. Also, THJTS ameliorates LOX, PGN and FLA-activated alterations in protein expression of NO, iNOS. THJTS ameliorates only PGN-activated alterations in protein expression of COX-2. Conclusions : This study can provide scientific evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of THJTS.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2 s.66
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• pp.196-210
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• 2006

Objectives : This study aimed to find the curative effect of Gamitongkyutang distillate in mice with allergic rhinitis. Metbods : Forty mice were divided into four groups: the normal group, the control group (allergic rhinitis elicited group), the sample I group (Gamitongkyutang treated group after allergic rhinitis elicitation) and the sample II group (distillate of Gamitongkyutang treated group after allergic rhinitis elicitation). Indexes of AR were investigated such as the histological changes of the nasal mucosa, the changes of eosinophil count, the changes of interleukin-4(IL-4) secretion in the intranasal mucosa, the alteration of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) mRNA expression and the distribution of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis (p<0.05). Results : Loss of the cilium and the mucous secretion in the sample I and II groups was rare when compared to the control group. The segment of eosinophil was significantly decreased in the sample I and II groups when compared to the control group (p<0.05). A significant decrease of IL-4 mRNA expression was observed in the sample I and II groups when compared with the control group (p<0.05). Inhibition of iNOS induced by NF-kB p50 in the sample I and II groups was significantly superior to that in the control group (p<0.05). DGT and GT didn't affect AST and ALT. Conclusions : GT was superior to DGT in the IL-4 secretion, eosinophil levels and iNOS production. However, considering the difficulty in taking herbal medicine, the DGT has a meaningful curative effect in mice with allergic rhinitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.62-67
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• 2004

Trauma remains one of the important sources leading to systemic inflammatory response anti sub-sequent multiple organ failure. Although hepatic microvascular dysfunction occurs during trauma, the mechanism responsible remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of trauma on hepatic vascular stress gene expression. Femur fracture (EFx) was induced by torsion to the femur at midshaft. Liver samples were taken for RT-PCR analysis of mRNA for gtenes of interest: endothelin-1 (ET-1), its receptors $ET_A$ and $ET_B$, nitric oxide synthases (iNOS and eNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and tumor necrosis tactor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$). The expression of ET-1 mRNA was significantly increased by FFx. Expression of mRNA in FFx group showed no change in $ET_A$, $ET_B$, iNOS and HO-1 and showed a slight increase of 2.2-fold and 2.7-fold for eNOS tll1d COX-2, respectively. The level of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA significantly increased in FFx group. In conclusion, mild trauma alone causes little change in expression of vasoactive mediators.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.32-44
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• 2002

Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of Rhizoma Cimicifugae (RC) on the induction of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: We examined whether RC have an antipyretic effect by inhibition of COX and/or NOS in fever that is evoked by an intraperitoneal injection of LPS in rats. Results: 1. RC inhibited NO metabolites produced by activated murine macrophage in a dose-dependent manner. 2. RC had an antipyretic effect in a dose-dependent manner in LPS-induced fever. 3. RC inhibited levels of both COX-2 protein and iNOS protein increased by the treatment of LPS in brain tissues as well as brain blood vessels. 4. There were no changes in proteins of nNOS/COX-1. Conclusions: RC has an antipyretic effect by attenuating the level of iNOS and COX-2 protein.