• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2012

In asthma, T helper 2 (TH2)-type cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 are produced by activated $CD^{4+}$ T cells. Dendritic cells played an important role in determining the fate of naive T cells into either $T_H1$ or $T_H2$ cells. We determined whether RG-II regulates the $T_H1/T_H2$ immune response by using an ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma. RG-II reduced IL-4 production but increased interferon-gamma production, and inhibited GATA-3 gene expression. RG-II also inhibited asthmatic reactions including an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues, airway luminal narrowing, and airway hyperresponsiveness. This study provides evidence that RG-II plays a critical role in ameliorating the pathogenic process of asthmatic inflammation in mice. These findings provide new insights into the immunotherapeutic role of RG-II in terms of its effects in a murine model of asthma.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

We aimed to study about the effect of acute hyper-gravity (HG) on the allergic immune response in a murine model of allergic asthma. Thirty-two BALB/c mice were used. In Group A (control group, n=8), mice were sensitized and challenged with saline. Group B (HG control group, n=8) were exposed to HG (10 Gz, 1 hour) after intraperitoneal and intranasal saline challenge. Group C (asthma group, n=8) received intraperitoneal and intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) challenge. Group D (HG asthma group, n=8) were exposed to HG after intraperitoneal and intranasal OVA challenge. We evaluated serum total and OVA-specific IgE; serum titers of cytokines; and histopathologic examination of lung. As a result, titers of Serum total and OVA-specific IgE were not significantly different between groups. Compared to Group C, mice in Group D showed significant increase of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13), cytokines involved in eosinophilia (IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF) and those involved in cell-medicated immunity (IFN-γ). In histopathologic examination, lungs of Group D showed significantly more infiltration of inflammatory cells compared to Group C. However, these differences were not so significant between Groups A and B. In conclusion, acute HG could exacerbate allergic asthma in experimental animals.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2010

Hesperidin, a member of the flavanone group of flavonoids, can be isolated in large amounts from the rinds of some citrus species [e.g., Citrus aurantium L. (bitter orange), Citrus sinensis L. (sweet orange) and Citrus unshiu Marcov. (satsuma mandarin)], and has been reported to have anticarcinogenic, antihypotensive and antimicrobial properties. Despite the efficacy of these polyphenolic compounds as immune modulators, the effects of the flavonoids are poorly understood about allergic effect. In this study, we investigated whether hesperidin could influence on Th1 and Th2 balance. Allergic reactions included an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration into the lung tissue around blood vessels and airways, airway luminal narrowing, the development of airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). The administration of hesperidin before the last airway OVA challenge resulted in a significant inhibition of all asthmatic reactions. Accordingly, this study may provide evidence that hesperidin plays a critical role in the amelioration of the pathogenetic process of asthma in mice. These findings provide new insight into the immunopharmacological role of hesperidin in terms of its effects in a murine model of asthma, and also broaden current perspectives in our understanding of the immunopharmacological functions of hesperidin.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.788-798
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• 2009

Objective : This study was undertaken to investigate effects of Opuntia ficus-indica (OP)extract on an asthma murine model. Methods : The total number of cells and eosinophils in BALF and the infiltration of inflammatory cells into lung tissues were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results : The number of OVA-induced total cells and eosinophils, a phenomenon of asthma, were decreased by treatment of the animals with OP extract (200 mg/kg) (respectively, p < 0.001 and p<0.01). Furthermore, we showed that OP extract reduced the increased immune cell infiltration induced by ovalbumin (p < 0.01). The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 in BAL fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, because the eosinophilia is associated with a T helper (Th) 2 response including IL-4. The level of OVA-induced IL-4 was decreased by OP extract in BAL fluid (p < 0.05). We investigated whether OP extract reduced nitrite (NO) production on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 sells, because asthma is an inflammatory disease. The level of LPS-induced NO production was decreased by OP extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/ml) on RAW 264.7 cells (respectively, p < 0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05). Conclusions : Our results indicate that OP extract has an inhibitory effect on lung eosinophilia of asthma and suggest that OP extract is a therapeutic candidate in the treatment of inflammatory disease, including asthma.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.716-721
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• 2005

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Farfarae Flos(FF) on immune cells and cytokines in murine asthma model. C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 9 weeks(3 times a week). The experimental group was treated with Farfarae Flos extract(FF) for the later 6 weeks(5 times a week). We measured IL-4, 1L-5, 1L-13, IgE, IFN-${\gamma}$ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of ovalbumin induced asthmatic mouse and observed murine lung tissue. The results were obtained as follows: Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with FF decreased significantly compared with those of control group. The concentration of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE in BALF of the mice group treated with FF decreased significantly compared with those of control group. The concentration of IFN-${\gamma}$ in BALF of the mice group treated with FF increased significantly compared with that of control group. According to the above results, it is suggested that FF extract might be useful applied for prevention and treatment of allergic asthma.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.2 s.82
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• pp.248-253
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• 2007

This research investigated whether exposure of diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) and particulate matter (PM) effects on airway remodeling in asthma induced Balb/c and IL-10 knock out (KO) mouse. Mice were sensitized with intraperitoneal injection with ovalbumin, followed by challenges with intranasal ovalbumin. After that mice placed in inhalation chamber and exposed to DEP and $PM(10\;mg/m^3)$. The evidence of airway remodeling was assessed by masson's trichrome staining and PAS staining. The stainability of masson's trichrome and PAS reaction were increased in asthma-induced Baltic mice groups compared with control mice groups. More intensive stainability for masson's trichrome and PAS were appeared in the asthma-induced DEP and PM-exposed groups than asthama-induced groups. But, not significantly increased subepithelial fibrosis and the nember of goblet cell hyperplasia in asthma-induced IL-10 KO mice groups and asthma-induced+DEP and PM-exposed IL-10 KO mice than IL-10 KO mice groups. These results indirectly suggesting that exposure to DEP and PM in asthmatic patients might be aggravate clinical symptoms and IL-10 which seems to play a central role in allergic asthma. In conclusion, DEP and PM exposure might have additive effects on the ovalbumin- induced asthma in a murine model.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.311-316
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• 2012

Sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane), belonging to a family of natural compounds that are abundant in broccoli, has received significant therapeutic interest in recent years. However, the molecular basis of its effects remains to be elucidated. In this study, we attempt to determine whether sulforaphane regulates the inflammatory response in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. Mice were sensitized with OVA, treated with sulforaphane, and then challenged with OVA. Sulforaphane administration significantly alleviated the OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine. Additionally, sulforaphane suppressed the increase in the levels of SOCS-3 and GATA-3 and IL-4 expression in the OVA-challenged mice. Collectively, our results demonstrate that sulforaphane regulates Th2 immune responses. This sutdy provides novel insights into the regulatory role of sulforaphane in allergen-induced Th2 inflammation and airway responses, which indicates its therapeutic potential for asthma and other allergic diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1694-1698
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• 2004

We hope to evaluate the effects of Sabaek-san for the bronchial asthma using assesment on the metrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) after Sabaek-san was intravenously administered OVA-sensitized and -challenged mice. Seventy-two female mice, 8-10 weeks of age and free of murine specific pathogens, were used. Of the seventy-two mice, twenty-four mice were not sensitized and forty-eight mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA. Of the sensitized mice, twenty-four mice didn't administrate Sabaek-san and twenty-four administrated Sabaek-san. Mice were sensitized on days 1 and 14 by intraperitoneal injection of 20 fig OVA. On days 21, 22 and 23 after the initial sensitization, the mice were challenged for 30 minutes with an aerosol of 1% OVA in saline. Sabaek-san administered 200㎎/㎏ in the tail of the mouse, one time per day, for 7 days, beginning 14 days after first sensitization. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 72 hours after the last challenge, and total cell numbers in the BAL fluid were count. Also, level of MMP-9 in the BAL fluid were measured by Enzyme immunoassays and Western blot analysis. Enzyme immunoassay revealed that MMP-9 levels in the BAL fluids significantly increased 72 h after OVA inhalation compared with levels in the control group. After administration of the Sabaek-san, the levels of the MMP-9 in BAL fluids 72 h after OVA inhalation reduced dramatically. Western blot analysis revealed that MMP-9 levels increased in the all mice which were challenge with OVA without administered Sabaek-san compared the normal mouse. However, in the groups of the administered Sabaek-san, the MMP-9 level markedly decreased. Sabaek-san might be effect the treatment of the bronchial asthma as a inhibition of the MMP-9.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1475-1478
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• 2003

Purpose : We hope to evaluate the effectiveness of Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium for the bronchial asthma using assesment on the vascular endothelial growth factor after Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium was intravenously administered OVA-sensitized and -challenged mice. Material and methods: Eleven female mice, 8-10 weeks of age and free of murine specific pathogens, were used. Of the eleven mice, one mouse was not sensitized and ten mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA. Of the sensitized mice, three mice didn't administrate Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium and seven mice administrated Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium. Mice were sensitized on days 1 and 14 by intraperitoneal injection of 20 ㎍ OVA. On days 21, 22, and 23 after the initial sensitization, the mice were challenged for 30 minutes with an aerosol of 1 % OVA in saline. Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium administered 200mg/kg in the tail of the mouse, one time per day, for 7 days, beginning 14 days after first sensitization. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 72 hours after the last challenge, and level of VEGF in the BAL fluid were measured by Western blot analysis. Results: Western blot analysis revealed that VEGF protein levels were increased in the all three mice which were challenge with OVA without administered Chung-pi compared the normal mouse. However, in the groups of the administered Chung-pi, the VEGF protein level markedly decreased in six of seven mice. Conclusion : Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium might be effect the treatment of the bronchial asthma as a inhibition of the VEGF.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.283-290
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• 2016

Oroxylum indicum has long been used in Asian traditional medicine to prevent and treat respiratory diseases, diabetes, diarrhea and other conditions. Oroxylin A is a flavone that is present in Oroxylum indicum and in Scutellaria baicalensis. Because the root extracts of both plants have been shown to have anti-allergic effects, the authors investigated whether oroxylin A is likely to have beneficial effects on allergic asthma using female Balb/c mice and rat RBL-2H3 mast cells. Antigen-induced degranulation was measured in vitro by measuring b-hexosaminidase activity. A murine ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma model was used to test the in vivo efficacy of oroxylin A. Sensitization and challenge of ovalbumin induced allergic asthma responses, the accumulations of eosinophils and Th2 cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues. Oroxylin A administration decreased numbers of inflammatory cells, especially eosinophils, and reduced the expression and secretion of Th2 cytokines, including IL-4 and IL-13, in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histologic studies showed oroxylin A reduced inflammatory signs and mucin production in lungs. These findings provide evidence that oroxylin A has potential use as an anti-allergic therapeutic.