• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.206-212
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• 2010

Codium fragile (CF) is an edible green alga consumed as a traditional food source in Korea. In this study, the ethanol extract of CF was evaluated to determine if it has anti-inflammatory activity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a toxin from bacteria, is a potent inducer of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-6. Therefore, we studied whether CF extracts have an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-induced murine macrophage cell lines (RAW 264.7). In the present study, IL-6 production was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), prostaglandin $E_2$($PGE_2$) production was measured using the EIA kit, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation were determined by Western blot analysis. IL-6 mRNA, COX-2 mRNA and iNOS mRNA expression were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results indicated that CF extracts inhibit LPS-induced IL-6, NO and PGE2 production in a dose-dependent manner, as well as expression of iNOS and COX-2. CF extracts significantly inhibited LPS-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2 phosphorylation. Taken together, these findings may help elucidate the mechanism by which CF modulates RAW 264.7 cell activation under inflammatory conditions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.915-921
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• 2012

Artemisiae Asiaticae Herba (AAH) has been used to remedy of symptoms such as bleeding, dysmenorrhea, eczema and itchy skin in Oriental Medicine. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of AAH on allergic response. The effect of AAH was analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 cells. We investigated cell viability, ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine as markers of degranulation, production of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$, and gene expression of HDC2, cytokines and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}{\beta}{\gamma}$ subunit. We found that AAH suppressed ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine release, the production of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3 by the anti-DNP IgE plus DNP-HSA stimulation. AAH also significantly decreased cytokine mRNA expressions, such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$, and GM-CSF, and increased cytokine mRNA expressions of IL-10 in RBL-2H3. In addition, AAH suppressed mRNA expression of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}{\beta}{\gamma}$ subunit on cell surface. Our results indicate that AAH protects against allergic response and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and production of cytokines and expression of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}{\beta}{\gamma}$ subunit.

• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.399-409
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• 2020

Many of the 𝛽-glucans are known to have antihypertensive activities, but, except for angiotensin-converting enzyme II inhibition, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Corin is an atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-converting enzyme. Activated corin cleaves pro-ANP to ANP, which regulates water-sodium balance and lowers blood pressure. Here, we reported a novel antihypertensive mechanism of 𝛽-glucans, involved with corin and ANP in mice. We showed that multiple oral administrations of 𝛽-glucan induced the expression of corin and ANP, and also increased natriuresis in mice. Microarray analysis showed that corin gene expression was only upregulated in mice liver by multiple, not single, oral administrations of the 𝛽-glucan fraction of Phellinus baumii (BGF). Corin was induced in liver and kidney tissues by the 𝛽-glucans from zymosan and barley, as well as by BGF. In addition to P. baumii, 𝛽-glucans from two other mushrooms, Phellinus linteus and Ganoderma lucidum, also induced corin mRNA expression in mouse liver. ELISA immunoassays showed that ANP production was increased in liver tissue by all the 𝛽-glucans tested, but not in the heart and kidney. Urinary sodium excretion was significantly increased by treatment with 𝛽-glucans in the order of BGF, zymosan, and barley, both in 1% normal and 10% high-sodium diets. In conclusion, we found that the oral administration of 𝛽-glucans could induce corin expression, ANP production, and sodium excretion in mice. Our findings will be helpful for investigations of 𝛽-glucans in corin and ANP-related fields, including blood pressure, salt-water balance, and circulation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.525-531
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• 2014

In the present study, we investigated whether apigenin significantly affects tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin in airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with apigenin for 30 min and then stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Apigenin significantly inhibited MUC5AC mucin production and down-regulated MUC5AC gene expression induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ in NCI-H292 cells. To elucidate the action mechanism of apigenin, effect of apigenin on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling pathway was also investigated by western blot analysis. Apigenin inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by TNF-${\alpha}$. Inhibition of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK) by apigenin led to the suppression of inhibitory kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) phosphorylation and degradation, p65 nuclear translocation. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of MUC5AC protein production in NCI-H292 cells. Apigenin also has an influence on upstream signaling of IKK because it inhibited the expression of adaptor protein, receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1). These results suggest that apigenin can regulate the production and gene expression of mucin through regulating NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in airway epithelial cells.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.273-277
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• 2011

This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities of natural herbal extracts including Houttuynia cordata and Eucommia ulmoides against human mast cell (HMC-1). Houttuynia cordata (HC) and Eucommia ulmoides(EU) were extracted with distilled water (at $75^{\circ}C$) and then freeze-dried for 5 days. Finally, the mixture of HC and EU were sterilized by ${\gamma}$-rays irradiation. Cytotoxicity of the mixture against HMC-1 cell was measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. In addition, inflammatory mediator cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-8 were evaluated by ELISA kit on the HMC-1 cells with calcimycin A23187 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The results showed that mixture of HC and EU had no cytoxicity and reduced TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 response on HMC-1 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.555-564
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• 2021

We investigated the effects of naringenin and morin on IL-5 and ROS production in PMA+ionomycin-treated EL-4 cells with the corroboration of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties using an asthma-induced mouse model. The EL-4 cell line was used to study the outcomes of naringenin or morin, followed by cell viability studies. Western blot analysis and ELISA test were used to determine Th2 mediated cytokines. In vivo studies were carried out on BALB/c mice to induce allergic asthma using ovalbumin administered intraperitoneally. Intracellular ROS was determined using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, followed by serum enzymatic (AST and ALT) estimations and inflammatory cell count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues. Histopathological studies were conducted to examine lung tissue-stained architecture. Our findings suggested that naringenin and morin significantly suppressed IL-5 and ROS production via various pathways. Interestingly, by reducing NFAT activity, naringenin and morin stimulated HO-1 expression, thereby suppressing IL-5 secretion due to regulating the transcription factor Nrf2 via P13/Akt or ERK/JNK signalling pathways in EL-4 cells, demonstrating the involvement of HO-1 expression in inhibiting asthmatic inflammation. The increased inflammatory cells in the BALF were substantially decreased by both naringenin and morin, followed by inhibition in the elevated Th-2 cytokines levels. The TNF-α protein levels in an allergic asthma mouse model were significantly reduced by suppressing Akt phosphorylation and eosinophil formation. Recent findings confirmed that naringenin and morin possess the potential to control asthma-related immune responses through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, indicating potential therapeutic agents or functional foods.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.137-149
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• 2019

Objective : This study is conducted in order to investigate the effect of Banggibongnyeongtang(BBT) on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression. Method : LPS $5{\mu}g$ was injected to lateral ventricle. Experimental groups were administered BBT intraperitoneally. Depressive behavior was confirmed by weight change, sucrose preference, open field test(OFT), and forced swimming test(FST). The plasma concentration of $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$, Corticotropin-Releasing Factor(CRF), Adrenocorticotropin Hormone(ACTH) and Corticosterone(CORT) were measured by ELISA. Result : BBT did not change the body weight significantly than LPS group, but on sucrose preference, BBT increased significantly in LPS+BBT400 group compared to LPS group (P<0.05). In the OFT, BBT increased spending time in the central zone and decreased grooming number. LPS+BBT400 group increased central zone-spending time, and decreased grooming number than LPS group significantly (P<0.05). In the FST, LPS+BBT400 group decreased immobility time than LPS group significantly (P<0.05). BBT decreased $IL-1{\beta}$ concentration does-dependently, but only with significant decrease in LPS+BBT400 group than LPS group in plasma (P<0.05). But BBT did not decrease $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration significantly in plasma. BBT decreased plasma CRF, ACTH, and CORT. And CRH and CORT of LPS+BBT400 group were shown significant decrease comparing with LPS group (P<0.05). Conclusion : It is postulated that the anti-depressant effect of BBT can be validated through inhibition of HPA axis abnormal activity by the anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.176-182
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• 2021

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with chronic skin inflammatory reactions. p-coumaric acid (pCA) is an active ingredient of Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). Methods: Here, we estimated an anti-AD effect of pCA on activated mast cells, activated splenocytes, and a mouse model of AD. Cytokines levels were measured by ELISA and protein activation was analyzed by Western blotting. 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was used to induce AD-like skin lesions. Results: The treatment with pCA suppressed the productions and mRNA expressions of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in HMC-1 cells. pCA downregulated the expressions of RIP2 and caspase-1, phosphorylated-(p)p38/pJNK/pERK, and pIKKβ/pIkBα/NF-κB in HMC-1 cells. pCA also decreased the productions of TSLP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, and IFN-γ in the supernatant of stimulated splenic cells. Comparing to DNFB-sensitized control group, pCA-treated group alleviated pathological changes of AD-like lesions. pCA decreased the proteins and mRNA expressions levels of TSLP, IL-6, and IL-4 in the skin lesions. Caspase-1 activation was also downregulated by pCA treatment in the AD-like lesions. The serum levels of histamine, IgE, TSLP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-4 were suppressed following treatment with pCA. Conclusion: This study suggests that pCA has the potential to improve AD by suppressing TSLP as well as inflammatory cytokines via blocking of caspase-1/NF-κB signal cascade.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.632-640
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• 2021

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) causes severe economic loss in crop productivity of both agriculture and horticulture crops in Korea. The previous surveys showed that naturally available biopolymer material - chitosan (CS), which is from shrimp cells, reduced CMV accumulation on pepper. To improve the antiviral activity of CS, it was synthesized to form phosphate cross-linked chitosan (PCS) and compared with the original CS. Initially, the activity of CS and PCS (0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1% concentration) compound against PMMoV infection and replication was tested using a half-leaf assay on Nicotiana glutinosa leaves. The total number of local lesions represented on a leaf of N. glutinosa were counted and analyzed with phosphate buffer treated leaves as a negative control. The leaves treated with a 0.1% concentration of CS or PCS compounds exhibited an inhibition effect by 40-75% compared with the control leaves. The same treatment significantly reduced about 40% CMV accumulation measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and increased the relative expression levels of the NPR1, PR-1, cysteine protease inhibitor gene, LOX, PAL, SRC2, CRF3 and ERF4 genes analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, in chili pepper plants.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.540-545
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• 2022

Betulin is a triterpenoid natural product contained in several medicinal plants including Betulae Cortex. These medicinal plants have been used for controlling diverse inflammatory diseases in folk medicine and betulin showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer activities. In this study, we tried to examine whether betulin exerts a regulative effect on the gene expression of MUC5AC mucin under the status simulating a pulmonary inflammation, in human airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with betulin for 30 min and then stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin mRNA expression and mucin glycoprotein production were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. To elucidate the action mechanism of betulin, effect of betulin on PMA-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway was also investigated by western blot analysis. The results were as follows: 1) Betulin significantly suppressed the production of MUC5AC mucin glycoprotein and down-regulated MUC5AC mRNA expression induced by PMA in NCI-H292 cells. 2) Betulin inhibited NF-κB activation stimulated by PMA. Suppression of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK) by betulin led to the inhibition of the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκBα), and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of MUC5AC glycoprotein production in NCI-H292 cells. These results suggest betulin inhibits the gene expression of mucin through regulation of NF-kB signaling pathway, in human airway epithelial cells.