• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.53-60
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• 2013

Objectives : DojukSan is known to be effective for treating a urinary diseases and stomatitis. However, there has been a lack of studies regarding the effects of Dojuksan on the inflammatory activities and effector inflammatory disease mechanism about macrophage before is not known. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Dojuksan water extract (DJS) on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of DJS on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Methods : In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis to measure the activation of MAPKs. Cells were treated with 200 ng/mL of LPS 1 h prior to the addition of DJS. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The investigation focused on whether DJS inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) productions, as well as the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Results : We found that DJS inhibited LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, DJS suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun NH2-protein kinase (JNK). Conclusions : These results suggest that DJS has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, and IL-6 production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the MAPKs phosphorylation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.43-53
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• 2022

Objectives : Paeonia lactiflora Pallas (PLP) have been reported to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic. However, it is not yet known whether PLP extract has anti-inflammatory effect on HaCaT cells, human keratinocyte. Methods : To confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of PLP on keratinocyte, TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾-stimulated HaCaT cells were used. HaCaT cells were pre-treated with PLP for 1h before stimulation with TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾. Then HaCaT cells were stimulated with TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾 for 24 h, the cells and media were harvested to measure the inflammatory cytokines levels. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1𝛽), and TNF-𝛼 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokines (TARC), IL-6, and IL-8 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We also investigated the inhibitory mechanism of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including ERK, JNK, and p38 and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-𝜅B) by PLP using western blot. Results : PLP did not show cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. In TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾-stimulated HaCaT cells, PLP significantly inhibited the expression of GM-CSF, MCP-1 IL-1𝛽, TNF-𝛼, TARC and IL-6. PLP inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and translocation of NF-𝜅B into the nucleus. Conclusions : These results indicate that PLP could ameliorate the TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾-stimulated inflammatory response through inhibition of MAPK and NF-kB signal pathway. This suggests that PLP could be used beneficial agent to improve skin inflammation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2023

Objectives : A persistent inflammatory response can cause diseases such as fibrosis, cancer, and allergies. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Curcumae longae Rhizoma and Cinnamomi Ramulus Mixture (CCM) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Methods : The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of CCM were confirmed through an in vitro experiment. Also, radical scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Hydroxyl were confirmed. Moreover, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity were confirmed. After, CCM (50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL) were applied to 0.1 ㎍/mL LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the supernatant fraction were determined. Also, the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways were detected using Western blot. Results : As a result of in vitro experiments, there was an excellent antioxidant activity in CCM-treated cells. In addition, in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, the increased NO level was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the treatment of CCM. In addition, inflammatory cytokines production were significantly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner in CCM-treated group. CCM treatment significantly decreased the protein expressions of MAPKs. Moreover, the expressions of NF-κBp65 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were significantly decreased when 200 mg/kg of CCM was applied, and phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B-α (p-IκBα) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were significantly decreased at all concentrations treated with CCM. Conclusion : Our findings show that CCM exhibited excellent antioxidant activity and exhibited superior anti-inflammatory effect through the MAPKs and NF-κB pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.25-25
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• 2022

피부 노화는 피부와 피부 지지층 등의 광범위한 퇴행 과정을 말한다. 피부 노화의 원인은 흡연, 공해, 스트레스 등이 있지만, 그 중에서도 자외선(ultra violet, UV) 조사가 가장 큰 요인으로 꼽힌다. 반복적인 자외선 조사에 의해 진행되는 피부노화를 광노화라고 하며 그 가장 큰 특징으로는 콜라겐 섬유와 엘라스틴의 감소로 야기되는 주름을 들 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 제주에서 채집한 바위수국의 추출물 및 분획물의 항산화 및 자외선으로 인한 피부노화 예방(anti-photoaging) 효능을 확인하고, 활성물질을 분리하여 광노화 예방 효능과 그 메커니즘을 확인하였다. 실험에 사용된 바위수국은 범의귀과의 덩굴성 식물로 바위면이나 나무줄기 등에 붙어서 자라며, 한국(제주, 울릉도)과 일본에 분포한다. 바위수국 추출물과 분획물에서 총 페놀 함량. 총 플라보이드 함량, DPPH 및 ABTS 라디칼소거 활성의 항산화 실험 결과, 부탄올과 에틸아세테이트 분획층에서 강력한 항산화 활성이 관찰되었다. 또한 UVA를 조사한 인간 진피 섬유아세포 (human dermal fibroblast, HDF)데 대한 콜라겐 분해효소인 matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) 생성 억제 활성을 확인한 결과, 부탄올 분획층이 세포 생장 저해 없이 가장 우수한 효능이 확인되었다. 따라서 부탄올 분획층에서 주요 성분 분리 실험을 수행하여 총 4개의 화합물을 분리하였다; Chlorogenic acid (1), Quercetin-3-O-glucosyl-(1-2)-rhamnoside (2), Quercetin-3-O-xylosyl-(1-2)-rhamnoside (3), Quercitrin (4). 분리한 4개의 물질의 MMP-1 생성 억제 활성을 비교한 결과 화합물 2가 세포독성 없이 MMP-1 생성 억제 효능이 우수하였고, 이후 화합물 2의 광노화 예방 효능과 그 메커니즘을 확인하였다. 화합물 2는 MMP-1의 생성을 억제할 뿐만 아니라 procollagen type I의 생성을 증가시켰으며, MMP-1 생성에 관여하는 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) 신호전달경로를 하향 조절하며, 콜라겐 생성과 관련된 Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad 신호전달경로를 상향 조절하여 UVA에 의한 광노화 예방에 효능을 나타내었다. 이러한 결과들을 바탕으로, 바위수국은 항노화(anti-aging) 기능성 화장품 및 이너뷰티 기능성 식품 소재로 개발이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.417-427
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated in vitro immuno-stimulatory and anti-obesity activity of fruit (LIF), leaves (LIL) and stems (LIS) from Lonicera insularis Nakai in mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells and mouse pre-adipocytes 3T3-L1 cells. LIF, LIL and LIS increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and activated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) partly blocked LIF, LIL and LIS mediated production of immunostimulatory factors. In addition, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling attenuated the production of immunostimulatory factors induced by LIF, LIL and LIS. Based on these results of this study, LIF, LIL and LIS is thought to activate macrophages the production of immunostimulatory factors and phagocytosis through toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) and MAPKs signaling pathway. In anti-obesity study, LIF reduced the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. LIF increased the protein phosphorylation expressions such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) related to the lipolysis of the adipocytes. In addition, LIF increased the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism and brown adipose tissues differentiation such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coativator 1α (PGC-1α) and PR domain-containing16 (PRDM16). These results suggest that LIF is involved in lipid accumulation inhibition through expressing the proteins such as lipolysis and differentiation of white adipocytes to brown adipocytes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.125-132
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• 2014

Objectives : Suryeon-hwan (SRH) exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity with an unknown mechanism. However, there has been a lack of studies regarding the effects of SRH on the inflammatory activities and effector inflammatory disease mechanism about macrophage before is not known. So, the investigation focused on whether SRH inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) productions, as well as the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : Cells were treated with 200 ng/mL of LPS 30 min prior to the addition of SRH. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was determined by reacting cultured medium with Griess reagent. The content of level of cytokines (PGE, IL-6) in media from LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells was analyed by ELISA kit. The expression of COX-2, iNOS and MAPKs was investigated by Western blot, RT-PCR. Results : We found that SRH inhibited LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, SRH suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) activation. Conclusions : These results suggest that SRH has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, and IL-6 production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the phosphorylation of MAPKs following activation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.635-647
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• 2014

Unfertilized oocytes age inevitably after ovulation, which limits their fertilizable life span and embryonic development. Rapamycin affects mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expression and cytoskeleton reorganization during oocyte meiotic maturation. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of rapamycin treatment on aged porcine oocytes and their in vitro development. Rapamycin treatment of aged oocytes for 24 h (68 h in vitro maturation [IVM]; $44h+10{\mu}M$ rapamycin/24 h, $47.52{\pm}5.68$) or control oocytes (44 h IVM; $42.14{\pm}4.40$) significantly increased the development rate and total cell number compared with untreated aged oocytes (68 h IVM, $22.04{\pm}5.68$) (p<0.05). Rapamycin treatment of aged IVM oocytes for 24 h also rescued aberrant spindle organization and chromosomal misalignment, blocked the decrease in the level of phosphorylated-p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and increased the mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (MOS, BMP15, GDF9, and CCNB1) compared with untreated, 24 h-aged IVM oocytes (p<0.05). Furthermore, rapamycin treatment of aged oocytes decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity and DNA fragmentation (p<0.05), and downregulated the mRNA expression of mTOR compared with control or untreated aged oocytes. By contrast, rapamycin treatment of aged oocytes increased mitochondrial localization (p<0.05) and upregulated the mRNA expression of autophagy (BECN1, ATG7, MAP1LC3B, ATG12, GABARAP, and GABARAPL1), anti-apoptosis (BCL2L1 and BIRC5; p<0.05), and development (NANOG and SOX2; p<0.05) genes, but it did not affect the mRNA expression of pro-apoptosis genes (FAS and CASP3) compared with the control. This study demonstrates that rapamycin treatment can rescue the poor developmental capacity of aged porcine oocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.829-835
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• 2014

This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of bread containing extract from Cirsium setidens (CS) or Aster scaber (AS) against $H_2O_2$-induced death of human brain neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Treatment with bread containing extract from CS (CSB) or AS (ASB) reduced $H_2O_2$ cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH cells, the intracellular ROS level, and the phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) level. In the sensory evaluation, wild vegetable flavor scores of CSB were higher than those of ASB and bread containing 0% CS or AS (NB). In terms of appearance, color, flavor, softness, and overall acceptability, CSB and ASB showed higher scores than NB, but no differences were observed between CSB and ASB. These results indicate that CSB and ASB have potent health benefits in terms of neuroprotection against oxidative stress mediated through antioxidant activity and inhibition of p38 phosphorylation in brain neural cells. Thus, CS and AS could be considered as a health functional material.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.554-559
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• 2016

Mycobacterium abscessus, a member of the group of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, has been identified as an emerging pulmonary pathogen in humans. However, little is known about the protective immune response of antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs), which guard against M. abscessus infection. The M. abscessus gene MAB1843 encodes ᴅ-alanyl-ᴅ-alanine dipeptidase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of ᴅ-alanyl-ᴅ-alanine dipeptide. We investigated whether MAB1843 is able to interact with DCs to enhance the effectiveness of the host's immune response. MAB1843 was found to induce DC maturation via toll-like receptor 4 and its downstream signaling pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B pathways. In addition, MAB1843-treated DCs stimulated the proliferation of T cells and promoted Th1 polarization. Our results indicate that MAB1843 could potentially regulate the immune response to M. abscessus, making it important in the development of an effective vaccine against this mycobacterium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.1450-1457
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• 2015

The anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extracts from Hizikia fusiformis fermented with and without lactic acid bacteria was compared in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. The fermentation was done using Weissella sp. SH-1 and Lactobacillus casei in a mixture of glucose and lactate source at $30^{\circ}C$ for 30 days. As a result, we confirmed that the fermentation of H. fusiformis with lactic acid bacteria inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ as important inflammatory factors. During a comparison analysis, we found that L. casei fermented groups significantly suppressed NO production by regulating iNOS and COX-2 expression. Also, the effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and LPS-induced activation of mitogen- activated protein kinase indicated that the fermentation using Weissella sp. SH-1 and L. casei may provide an increment towards the extraction of active components, which are effective anti-inflammatory agents.