• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2008

Objectives : Evodia officinalis DODE (EO), an herbal plant, has been widely used in traditional Korean medicine for the treatment of vascular diseases such as hypertension. The crude extract of EO contains phenolic compounds that are effective in protecting liver microsomes, hepatocytes, and erythrocytes against oxidative damage. But EO has been little found to have an anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated anti-inflammatory activity of EO in RAW 264.7 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods : Cytotoxic activity of EO on RAW 264.7 cells was investigated by using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression were measured by flow cytometer. Results : EO decreased LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory activity of EO on LPS-induced NO release is probably associated with suppressing TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 formation. These results indicate that EO has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. Moreover, EO decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced IL-8, IL-6 production, and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in HUVECs. Conclusions : EO inhibits TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammation via decreasing cytokines production and adhesion molecules expression. These results indicate that EO has potential as an anti-inflammation and anti-artherosclerosis agent.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate effects of Curculiginis Rhizoma pharmaco-acupuncture at $ST_{36}$ on monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritic rats. Methods : Twenty rats were divided into four groups consisting of 5 rats: rats receiving no injection(normal), rats injected with monosodium Iodoacetate(MIA, control), rats injected with MIA and normal saline(N-S), and rats injected with MIA and Curculiginis Rhizoma (CRPA). N-S and CRPA were administered once a day at $ST_{36}$ during 21 days. After that we examined the weight-bearing ability of hind paws, liver and kidney function, immunocell, cytokines, proteins, and gene expression of cytokines. Injury of synovial tissue was measured by H & E, Safranin O immunofluorescence. Results : The weight-bearing ability of the hind paws, Serum TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, PGE2, LTB4, DPD, Osteocalcin, Protein COX-2 of CRPA decreased significantly. Protein Arachidonate 5 lipoxygenase of CRPA was decreased, but not significantly. Expression of gene COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, NOS2 of CRPA decreased. In histological observations, CRPA was improved, compared with other control groups. Conclusions : It can be suggested that Curculiginis Rhizoma pharmaco-acupuncture at $ST_{36}$ has anti-inflammatory and pain relief effects on monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritic rats.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fermented Kalopanax pictus (KP-F) on macrophage activation and its effect as a competitive inhibitor of LPS and inhibitory effect on endotoxemia. The results showed that KP-F could activate macrophage in a dose-dependent manner, and KP-F was confirmed to act as a ligand for TLR4. Also, it was found that KP-F did not exhibit the same biotoxicity as LPS in intraperitoneal injection, and that it could suppress the neutrophil migration induced by LPS administration. In normal mice, the body weight, tissue weight, and amount of nitrite and pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum showed no significant changes with KP-F diet for 2 weeks, confirming that administration of KP-F in normal mice did not lead to over activation of immune response and biotoxicity. In the mouse model of endotoxemia induced by LPS and D-galactosamine(D-GalN) in sub-lethal dose, the diet of KP-F effectively inhibited the amount of nitrite and cytokines in the blood, and thus was found to be able to relieve the hepatic and kidney injury. In addition, in the endotoxemia mouse model induced by LPS and D-GalN of lethal dose, the survival rate was increased by KP-F diet in a dose-dependent manner.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.170-175
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• 2021

Atherosclerosis arising from the pro-inflammatory conditions associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases major cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Rapamycin (RAPA) is known to inhibit atherosclerosis under CKD and non-CKD conditions, but it can cause dyslipidemia; thus, the co-application of lipid-lowering agents is recommended. Atorvastatin (ATV) has been widely used to reduce serum lipids levels, but its synergistic effect with RAPA in CKD remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the effect of their combined treatment on atherosclerosis stimulated by CKD in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. Oil Red O staining revealed that treatment with RAPA and RAPA＋ ATV, but not ATV alone, significantly decreased the atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta and aortic sinus, compared to those seen in the control (CKD) group. The co-administration of RAPA and ATV improved the serum lipid profile and raised the expression levels of proteins involved in reverse cholesterol transport (LXRα, CYP7A1, ABCG1, PPARγ, ApoA1) in the liver. The CKD group showed increased levels of various genes encoding atherosclerosispromoting cytokines in the spleen (Tnf-α, Il-6 and Il-1β) and aorta (Tnf-α and Il-4), and these increases were attenuated by RAPA treatment. ATV and RAPA＋ATV decreased the levels of Tnf-α and Il-1β in the spleen, but not in the aorta. Together, these results indicate that, in CKD-induced ApoE-/- mice, RAPA significantly reduces the development of atherosclerosis by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the co-application of ATV improves lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.411-419
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• 2012

The present study was to investigate the effects of Lycii Cortex Radicis (LCR), the root bark of lycium (Lycium chenese Miller) and ginger (Gin) on body lipid status and serum levels of cytokines. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats weighing $193.6{\pm}16.8g$ were divided into five groups, including one low fat (LF) and four high fat groups, i.e. HF-Control, HF-LCR, HF-Gin and HF-LCR + Gin groups. Diets for HF-LCR, HF-Gin and HF-LCR + Gin groups contained purified extracts having 0.2 g LCR tyramine, ginerol and 0.1 g tyramine plus 0.02 g gingerol per kg, respectively. Compared with those of the HF-Control total serum cholesterol level decreased, and HDL-cholesterol level increased in the HF-LCR group and serum triglyceride levels decreased in the three experimental groups fed the purified extracts. Liver cholesterol level was lower in the HF-LCR group than the HF-Control group, but triglyceride levels, which were increased by high fat diets were not changed by significantly by LCR or ginger extracts. Fecal lipid excretion was higher in the HF-LCR and HF-Gin groups, but cholesterol excretion was lower in the HF-Gin group than in the HF-Control group. The activities of liver cytosolic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme were lower in the HF-LCR + Gin group than in the HF-Control group. Serum adiponectin levels did not differ among the five groups, while leptin level was lower in the HF-Gin group and C-reactive protein levels were lower in the HF-Gin and the HF-LCR + Gin groups than in the HF-Control group. It is concluded that LCR can be utilized as an ingredient for lipid-lowering functional foods in the form of purified extract and addition of small amount of ginger extract would be useful for reducing one of the inflammatory cytokines to help prevent atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.9-21
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was investigating effects of Jengjengamiyijin-tang (zhengzhuanjiaweierchentang) (JGYT) on lowering lipid, antioxidation and production of inflammatory mediators being used rats fed on high oxidized fat. Methods We divided fat Sprague-Dawley rats fed on high oxidized into 4 groups. Each of 8 rats was divided into a control group and experimental groups. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline (100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And We fed each experimental group of rats basal diet and administered an extract of JGYT extracts (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidative activity and plasma tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), Apo-B, Apo-E and Leptin gene expression. Results 1. Concentration of plasma FFA, LDL-cholesterol, plasma and liver total cholesterol showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. However, concentration of plasma HDL-cholesterol showed a significant increment in JGYT groups. 2. Concentration of plasma and liver TG, TBARS showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. However, concentration of liver GSH-Px, SOD and CAT showed a significant increment in JGYT groups. 3. Plasma GPT activity and concentration of plasma IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NO, Ceruloplasmin, ${\alpha}1$-acid glycoprotein showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. 4. In the analysis of RT-PCR, gene expression of Apo-B and Apo-E in the JGYT groups showed a low expression than that of control group. However, the gene expression of leptin showed no difference in all the treatment groups. 5. The ratio of leptin expression per ${\beta}$-actin expression showed no significant difference among all treatment groups. However, The ratio of Apo-B and Apo-E expression per ${\beta}$-actin expression showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. Conclusions According to this study, extract of JGYT showed a positive effect in lowering lipid, antioxidation and control of inflammatory mediators production.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2016

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a natural, hydrophilic nontoxic bile acid, is clinically effective for treating cholestatic and chronic liver diseases. We investigated the chronic effects of UDCA on age-related lipid homeostasis and underlying molecular mechanisms. Twenty-week-old C57BL/6 male and female mice were fed a diet with or without 0.3% UDCA supplementation for 25 weeks. UDCA significantly reduced weight gain, adiposity, hepatic triglyceride, and hepatic cholesterol without incidental hepatic injury. UDCA-mediated hepatic triglyceride reduction was associated with downregulated hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and of other genes involved in lipogenesis (Chrebp, Acaca, Fasn, Scd1, and Me1) and fatty acid uptake (Ldlr, Cd36). The inflammatory cytokines Tnfa, Ccl2, and Il6 were significantly decreased in liver and/or white adipose tissues of UDCA-fed mice. These data suggest that UDCA exerts beneficial effects on age-related metabolic disorders by lowering the hepatic lipid accumulation, while concurrently reducing hepatocyte and adipocyte susceptibility to inflammatory stimuli.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.494-500
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Evidence indicates that berry anthocyanins are anti-atherogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. However, berries differ vastly in their anthocyanin composition and thus potentially in their biological and metabolic effects. The present study compared hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of blueberry (BB), blackberry (BK), and blackcurrant (BC) in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high fat (HF; 35% fat, w/w) control diet or a HF diet supplemented with freeze-dried 5% BB, 6.3% BK or 5.7% BC for 12 weeks (10 mice/group) to achieve the same total anthocyanin content in each diet. Plasma lipids, antioxidant status and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. The expression of genes involved in antioxidant defense, inflammation, and lipid metabolism was determined in the liver, epididymal adipose tissue, proximal intestine, and skeletal muscle. Histological analysis was performed to identify crown-like structure (CLS) in epididymal fat pads to determine macrophage infiltration. RESULTS: No differences were noted between the control and any berry-fed groups in plasma levels of liver enzymes, insulin, glucose, ferric reducing antioxidant power, superoxide dismutase, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$. However, BK significantly lowered plasma triglyceride compared with the HF control and other berries, whereas BC significantly reduced F4/80 mRNA and the number of CLS in the epididymal fat pad, indicative of less macrophage infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence that BB, BK and BC with varying anthocyanin composition differentially affect plasma lipids and adipose macrophage infiltration in DIO mice, but with no differences in their antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory potential.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.212-224
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• 2013

This study intends to clarify how Sayeok-tang(here in after reffered to SYT) affect C57BL/10 mice whose osteoarthritis was induced by papain. Osteoarthritis was induced by injecting papain in the knee joint of 3 groups(n=6) of mice. Normal group was non-treatment group and was not injected papain, whereas control mice were orally administered with $200{\mu}{\ell}$ of physiological saline. Positive comparison group was medicated with 100 mg/kg of Joins$^{(R)}$ mixed with $200{\mu}{\ell}$ of physiological saline. Experimental group was medicated with 400 mg/kg of SYT mixed with $200{\mu}{\ell}$ of physiological saline. Both Positive and experimental comparison groups were orally medicated once per day for 4 weeks. After the experiment, the functions of liver and kidney, inflammation cytokine values within serum, degree of revelation for inflammation cytokine genes, immune cells within blood, metabolism of arachidonic acid and amount of cartilage were measured and histopathological changes in the knee joint structures were observed. As results, SYT had no significant effect on the liver and kidney functions. Interleukin-$1{\beta}$(IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6(IL-6), monocyte chemo attractant protein-1(MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$) were significantly decreased. Inflammation cytokines in joints were all significantly decreased. Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$, thromboxane $B_2(TXB_2)$ were significantly decreased. Destruction of cartilage on micro computed tomography(CT)-arthrography was meaningfully decreased. In terms of histopathology, infiltration of inflammation, proliferation of synovial membrane, subsidence of cartilage and bone due to penetration of excessive formation of synovial cell and destruction of cartilage were small. Based on all results mentioned above, Sayeok-tang(SYT) is believed to be meaningful for suppressing the progress of osteoarthritis and its treatments because of its anti-inflammatory effects and alleviation of pain with histopathological effective efficacy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Jowiseungcheung-tang (JWSCT) extract on the lipid metabolism, anti-oxidation and inflammatory reflex. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high fat diet for 8 weeks and were randomly divided into 4 groups (10 mice in each group): control group, 100 mg/kg JWSCT group, 200 mg/kg JWSCT group, 300 mg/kg JWSCT group. The control group was administered 100 mg/kg of water, but the other three groups were administered 100, 200, 300 mg/kg JWSCT extract for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, we measured lipid level, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and cytokines in plasma and liver. The gene expression level and the ratio of apo-B and apo-E were then investigated by way of reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results : In the JWSCT group, compared with the control, free fatty acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, TBARS, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ decreased significantly in plasma and liver. However HDL-cholesterol, IL-10, GSH-Px, SOD and CAT increased. In the JWSCT group, compared with the control, the gene expression level and the ratio of apo-A and apo-E decreased significantly in the RT-PCR analysis. Conclusions : The extract of JWSCT has anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.