• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.71-78
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• 2017

Objectives : The various grape extracts derived from grape pulp, seed and skin, containing various types of polyphenols and flavonoids, have been known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and improve cardiovascular condition as well as sun's damaging effects. However, there have been rare reports of various beneficial effects of grape fruit stem extract (GFSE), one of the waste products of grapes. We investigated anti-inflammatory and melanogenesis inhibitory effects of GFSE. Methods : One-hundred gram of grape fruit stem was extracted with 80% ethanol at room temperature for 3 days. After filtration, the ethanol was removed using vacuum evaporator, then lyophilized to obtain the dry extract which was stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ until used. NO levels were measured by using Greiss reagent. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured by ELISA assay. The expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, TRP-1 and TRP-2 were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results : GFSE reduced the level of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production in a dose-dependent manner, compared to control. Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein were also effectively inhibited by the GFSE. In a tyrosinase inhibitory activity, GFSE significantly reduced the tyrosinase activity and melanin content in a dose dependent manner, compared to control. GFSE also decreased the expression of tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2), known as a melanocyte-specific gene product involved in melanin synthesis. Conclusions : Therefore, these results indicated that GFSE had powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.36-47
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-Inflammatory effect of Hwadokdan(HDD) extracted with water. Methods : We pretreated LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cell with HDD and anti-inflammatory effect of HDD is investigated by measuring NO production, relative iNOS, and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, PGE2 productions level, p-IκBα, IκBα, NFκB. Results : HDD reduced NO production and iNOS protein, TNF-α, IL-6 level at concentration of 100㎍/㎖ and 300㎍/㎖ in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cell significantly. There wasn't a significant cytotoxicity in MTT assay. And HDD reduced IL-1β level at concentration of 300㎍/㎖ in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cell significantly. HDD reduced p-IκBα and NFκB protein level at concentration of 300㎍/㎖ in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cell significantly. And HDD enhanced IκBα protein level at concentration of 100㎍/㎖ and 300㎍/㎖ in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cell significantly. Conclusions : These suggests that HDD can be used as a therapeutic drug for various inflammatory diseases.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.33-41
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• 2020

Neuroinflammation is known as the main mechanism implicated in the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The main feature of neuroinflammation is associated with the activation of microglia. The activated microglia increase proinflammatory cytokine production and induce progressive neuronal cell death. Citrus flavonoids show neuroprotective effects that are associated with the anti-inflammatory action of flavonoids in neurodegenerative diseases. Among these citrus flavonoids, kaempferol, naringin, and nobiletin show inhibitory effects on nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways that can modulate inflammatory conditions in microglial cells. In the present review, we present the anti-inflammatory activities of citrus flavonoids and therapeutic potential of flavonoids as neuroprotective agents.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2007

In this study we manufactured mulberry fruit tea(MFT) to be used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Here, MFT was consumed by thirty middle-aged women with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis for 4 weeks. The anthropometric measurements and serum inflammatory factors were measured before and after consumption of the MFT. For the anthropometric measurements, BMI and body fat decreased after 4 weeks of tea consumption although there were no significant differences. The serum inflammatory factors(uric acid and homocysteine) as well as serum amino transferase activity(aspartate trans-aminase and alanine transaminase) showed a decreasing trend. In addition, serum carbon reactive protein(CRP) decreased significantly decreased after MFT consumption 4 weeks. It's concluded that this MFT is helpful to for rheumatyroid arthritis patients in order to decrease serum inflammatory factors such as CRP.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.47-62
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• 2010

Objectives: Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by colonic mucosal inflammation and chronic relapsing events represents. The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of pharmacopuncture of anti-inflammatory herbal compound (AiC) applied to the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) intracolonic injection in rats. Methods: In Male Sprague - Dawley rats, weighing 250~400g, TNBS (5 mg/kg) was infused intrarectally through a silicon rubber catheter into the anus under isoflurane anaesthesia. Acupoints of LI4 (Hapkok), ST25 (Cheonchu), ST36 (Joksamni), and BL25 (Daejangsu) were intramuscularly injected by AiC, respectively (injection volume & times: 0.2 ml / acupoint, twice times on the 2nd & 3rd day). Expressions of cFos protein in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), nucleus of solitary tract (Sol), and the 6th lumbar spinal cord (L6 s.c.) were observed at 24 hr after TNBS induced colitis by immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression of c-Fos protein in the L6 s.c., Sol, LC and PAG increased 24 hr after TNBS injection into colorectum as compared to normal and 50% ethanol treated group. AiC to LI4 inhibited the expression of c-Fos protein in Sol and PAG but not L6 s.c. and LC. AiC to ST36 showed significant inhibition the c-Fos expression in L6 s.c., Sol and PAG. AiC to ST25 only showed the effects in L6 s.c. and PAG. AiC to BL25 inhibited significantly the expression of c-Fos protein all over the areas. To investigate whether or not endogenous opioids are involved, intrathecal injection of naltrexone (30ug/30ul) was applied before the 2nd pharmacopuncture treatment 24 hr after TNBS-induced colitis in rat. Naltrexone reversed the inhibition of c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord and brainstem. Conclusions: These data show that pharmacopuncture of Aic potently inhibits signal pathways ascending hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis and depends on the endogenous opioids according to acupoints.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.494-500
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• 2012

Silk fibroin (SF) peptide has been traditionally used as a treatment for flatulence, spasms, and phlegm. In this study, we examined whether SF peptide enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of PEP-1-FK506 binding protein (PEP-1-FK506BP) through comparing the anti-inflammatory activities of SF peptide and/or PEP-1-FK506BP. In the presence or absence of SF peptide, transduction levels of PEP-1-FK506BP into HaCaT cells and mice skin and anti-inflammatory activities of PEP-1-FK506BP were identified by Western blot and histological analyses. SF peptide alone effectively reduced both mice ear edema and the elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and $-1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, showing similar anti-inflammatory effect to that of PEP-1-FK506BP. Furthermore, co-treatment with SF peptide and PEP-1-FK506BP exhibited more enhanced anti-inflammatory effects than the samples treated with SF peptides or PEP-1-FK506BP alone, suggesting the possibility that SF peptide and PEP-1-FK506BP might interact with each other. Moreover, the transduction data demonstrated that SF peptide did not affect the transduction of PEP-1-FK506BP into HaCaT cells and mice skin, indicating that the improvement of anti-inflammatory effect of PEP-1-FK506BP was not caused by enhanced transduction of PEP-1-FK506BP. Thus, these results suggest the possibility that co-treatment with SF peptide and PEP-1-FK506BP may be exploited as a useful therapy for various inflammation-related diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.436-441
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• 2019

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as sacred lotus, has mainly been used as a food throughout the Asian countries. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extracts from leaf (NL), seed (NS), and seedpod (NSP) of Nelumbo nucifera and investigated their anti-inflammatory activities in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of NL, NS, and NSP, nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. NL, NS, and NSP significantly reduced NO production in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viabilities. NL, NS, and NSP dramatically decreased the protein expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS and COX-2. NL, NS, and NSP also suppressed phosphorylation of MAPKs and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 indicating they have their anti-inflammatory activities via regulating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathways. In addition, we analyzed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the treatment of NL, NS, and NSP. All extracts reduced ROS production in a dose-dependent manner. And also, they increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression and the nuclear translocation of nuclear respiratory factor 2 (Nrf2). In conclusion, our results suggest that Nelumbo nucifera has its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.421-428
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• 2020

This study investigated a mixture of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Lithospermum erythrorhizon (LE) extracts (ALM16), exerts anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells, and its underlying mechanism. ALM16 was prepared by mixing AM and LE extracts in a ratio of 7:3 (w/w). Cytotoxicity of ALM16 in RAW264.7 cells was not shown up to 200 ㎍/mL of ALM16. The results of this study showed that ALM16 does-dependently inhibits the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. ALM16 not only markedly reduced the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, but also inhibited the nuclear translocation and DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In addition, ALM16 specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that ALM16 may exert anti-inflammatory effect by modulating mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.71-78
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was fulfilled to investigate nominee materials as anti-inflammatory agent from ethanol extract of Chinese medicinal plants in Yanjin. Among the 20 candidates, we selected most effective one, the ethanol extract of Cicuta virosa L. (CVL). The mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of CVL is not clearly identified as yet. Accordingly, we clarified the anti-inflammatory effects of CVL and its underlying molecular mechanisms in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : RAW264.7 macrophages were incubated with CVL (12.5, 25, or $50{\mu}M$) and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ($1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$). Cytotoxicity was determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and the level of nitric oxide (NO) production was measured with Griess reagent. The prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured with enzyme immunoassay kits and the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined using Western blot analysis. Results : Among the 20 ethanol extract of Chinese medicinal plants of Yanjin tested, CVL significantly reduced the production of NO in a dose-dependent manner via inhibition the protein expressions of iNOS without cytotoxicity on the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, CVL also effectively declined the production of $PGE_2$ in LPS-simulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusions : Taken together, these data presented in this study demonstrate that CVL possesses anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators NO and $PGE_2$, and pro-inflammatory protein iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.464-469
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• 2007

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities of Artemisia fukudo extracts. The 80% ethanol extract of A. fukudo was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and butanol. In order to effectively screen for anti-inflammatory agents, we first examined the extracts’ inhibitory effects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines activated with lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, we examined the inhibitory effects of the A. fukudo extracts on pro-inflammatory factors (NO, iNOS, COX-2, and $PGE_{2}$) in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The protein levels were determined by immunoblotting. Of the sequential solvent fractions, the n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6), production of NO and $PGE_{2}$, and the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2. These results suggest that A. fukudo may have signifIcant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic plant.