• 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.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1571-1586
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• 2012

On earth, there are about 5,400 kinds of mammals, of which about 1,000 kinds are herbivores. Among herbivores, about 250 kinds are known to be ruminants. As for cattle and sheep, which are ruminants, fermentation takes places mainly in their rumen; in contrast, for pigs and men, which are non-ruminants, fermentation takes place mainly in their caecum, colon, and rectum. As for the kind and dominance of rumen microorganisms, Bacteroidetes account for 51% and Firmicutes for 43%. As for the dominance of the large intestine microorganisms in men, Firmicutes account for 65% and Bacteroidetes for 25%. Cell wall components are decomposed by microorganisms, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are generated through fermentation; the ratio of acetate, propionate, and butyrate generate is 60:25:15. Butyrate absorbed through the primary butyrate transporter MCT1 (mono carboxylate transports-1) in the intestines activates such SCFA receptors as GPR43 and GPR41. Butyrate has a strong anti-tumorigenic function. Butyrate is characterized by the fact that it has an effect on many cancer cells, contributes to the coordination of functions in the cells, and induces cancer apoptosis. Butyrate activates caspase but inhibits the activity of HDAC (histone deacetylase), so as to induce apoptosis. In addition, it increases p53 expression, so as to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Anti-inflammation actions of SCFA include the reduction of IL-8 expression in intestinal epithelial cells, the inhibition of NO synthesis, and the restraint of the activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ (nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$), so as to suppress the occurrence of cancers caused by inflammation. Butyrate plays an important role in maintaining physiological functions of intestinal mucous membranes and is used as a cure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.25-34
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• 2011

Objectives : Citrus is the fruit that is readily available around us. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of fraction isolated from the Citrus hassaku pericarp in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Methods : The effects of fraction from Citrus hassaku pericarp on cell viability on RAW264.7 cells were measured by the MTT assay. The mRNA levels of iNOS and COX-2, its protein level by fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp treatment in RAW264.7 macrophage cells were investigated by RT-PCR and immunoblots. Nitrite accumulation in the culture was measured colorimetrically by the Griess reaction using a Griess reagent. The amount of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results : The results indicated that the fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp concentration highly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and IL-6 productions without a cytotoxic effect on RAW264.7 cells. fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp inhibited the expressions of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 protein and their mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp suppressed the level of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity, which was linked with the suppression of LPS-induced phosphorylation of p65 at serine 276 and p65 translocation into nuclei, but not MAPK signaling. In addition, treatment with fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp inhibited the production of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion : Our results indicate that fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp potentially inhibits the biomarkers related to inflammation through the blocking of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 activation, and it may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.598-604
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• 2014

Fatty acids, important components of a normal diet, have been reported to play a role in bone metabolism. Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells that are responsible for many bone-destructive diseases such as osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the impact of a medium-chain fatty acid, capric acid, on the osteoclast differentiation, function, and survival induced by receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Capric acid inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow-derived macrophages and suppressed RANKL-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, p65 nuclear translocation, and NF-${\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity. Capric acid further blocked the RANKL-stimulated activation of ERK without affecting JNK or p38. The induction of NFATc1 in response to RANKL was also attenuated by capric acid. In addition, capric acid abrogated M-CSF and RANKL-mediated cytoskeleton reorganization, which is crucial for the efficient bone resorption of osteoclasts. Capric acid also increased apoptosis in mature osteoclasts through the induction of Bim expression and the suppression of ERK activation by M-CSF. Together, our results reveal that capric acid has inhibitory effects on osteoclast development. We therefore suggest that capric acid may have potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of bone resorption-associated disorders.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.412-427
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was carried out to compare the effects of Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san extracts on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in mice. Methods : Experimental mice were divided into six groups. The normal group had no gastro-inflammation. In the control group, gastro-inflammation was elicited by indomethacin. Misoprostol, Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san group were those in which misoprostol, Eejin-tang extract, Hyangsaeejin-tang extract and Naeso-san extract were administered after gastro-inflammation is elicited. This study examined the anti-inflammation effects and distribution of mucus secreting cells, zonula occludin-1 (ZO-1), heat shock protein (HSP) 70, periodic acid-schiff reaction stain (PAS), peanut agglutinin (PNA), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Results : 1. The hemorrhagic erosion and damaged mucus secreting cell, the positive reaction HSP70 increased in the control group, but decreased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. 2. The positive reaction of ZO-1, PAS, PNA, COX-1 and BrdU decreased in the control group, but increased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. 3. The positive reaction of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS and COX-2 increased in the control group, but decreased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. Conclusions : Among the three extracts, the effects were in the order of Naeso-san, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Eejin-tang group, Naeso-san being the most effective.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2017

Objective : This study was designed to evaluate candidate materials as anti-inflammation agent from extracts of various Korean Compositae herbs in Hwaak mountain. Among Korea medicinal herbs, Ainsliaea acerifolia (AA) belongs to the Compositae family, has been used for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis. However, AA has not been previously reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of AA and its underlying molecular mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Nitric oxide (NO) was measured with Griess reagent and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and p65 subunit of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) were determined by Western blot analysis. Results : Among 8 extracts of Korean Compositae herbs tested, AA showed the inhibition of NO production without cytotoxicity. Consistent with the observation, AA reduced the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in LPS-simulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in dose-dependent manner. In addition, AA inhibited the productions of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 in LPS-simulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. However, AA did not inhibit activation of p65 $NF-{\kappa}B$ in LPS-simulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion : These results suggest that down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2 protein expression and $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 production by AA are responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.145-157
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• 2017

Background: Vitamin D is considered to exert a protective effect on various renal diseases but its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether paricalcitol attenuates inflammation and apoptosis during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal proximal tubular cell injury through the prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) receptor EP4. Methods: Human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells were pretreated with paricalcitol (2 ng/mL) for 1 hour and exposed to LPS ($1{\mu}g/mL$). The effects of paricalcitol pretreatment in relation to an EP4 blockade using AH-23848 or EP4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were investigated. Results: The expression of cyclooxygenase-2, $PGE_2$, and EP4 were significantly increased in LPS-exposed HK-2 cells treated with paricalcitol compared with cells exposed to LPS only. Paricalcitol prevented cell death induced by LPS exposure, and the cotreatment of AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA offset these cell-protective effects. The phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$) were decreased and the phosphorylation of Akt was increased in LPS-exposed cells with paricalcitol treatment. AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA inhibited the suppressive effects of paricalcitol on p65 $NF-{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and the activation of Akt. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells were attenuated by paricalcitol in LPS exposed HK-2 cells. The cotreatment with an EP4 antagonist abolished these anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. Conclusion: EP4 plays a pivotal role in anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects through Akt and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling after paricalcitol pretreatment in LPS-induced renal proximal tubule cell injury.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2017

Background: BIOGF1K, a compound K-rich fraction prepared from the root of Panax ginseng, is widely used for cosmetic purposes in Korea. We investigated the functional mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of BIOGF1K by discovering target enzymes through various molecular studies. Methods: We explored the inhibitory mechanisms of BIOGF1K using lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammatory responses, reporter gene assays involving overexpression of toll-like receptor adaptor molecules, and immunoblotting analysis. We used the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay to measure the antioxidative activity. We cotransfected adaptor molecules, including the myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and Toll/interleukin-receptor domain containing adaptor molecule-inducing interferon-${\beta}$ (TRIF), to measure the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). Results: BIOGF1K suppressed lipopolysaccharide-triggered NO release in macrophages as well as DPPH-induced electron-donating activity. It also blocked lipopolysaccharide-induced mRNA levels of interferon-${\beta}$ and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Moreover, BIOGF1K diminished the translocation and activation of IRF3 and NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50 and p65). This extract inhibited the upregulation of NF-${\kappa}B$-linked luciferase activity provoked by phorbal-12-myristate-13 acetate as well as MyD88, TRIF, and inhibitor of ${\kappa}B$ ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) kinase ($IKK{\beta}$), and IRF3-mediated luciferase activity induced by TRIF and TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). Finally, BIOGF1K downregulated the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway by blocking $IKK{\beta}$ and the IRF3 pathway by inhibiting TBK1, according to reporter gene assays, immunoblotting analysis, and an AKT/$IKK{\beta}$/TBK1 overexpression strategy. Conclusion: Overall, our data suggest that the suppression of $IKK{\beta}$ and TBK1, which mediate transcriptional regulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and IRF3, respectively, may contribute to the broad-spectrum inhibitory activity of BIOGF1K.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.402-409
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• 2019

Korean red ginseng made from steaming and drying fresh ginseng has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine due to its effects on the immune, endocrine, and central nerve systems and its anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of a formulated Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) in response to lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria. RGE inhibited LTA-induced nitric oxide (NO) secretion and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in BV-2 microglial cells, without affecting cell viability. RGE also inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65 and degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$. In addition, RGE increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effect of RGE on iNOS expression was abrogated by small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of HO-1. Moreover, RGE induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. Furthermore, the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors suppressed RGE-mediated expression of HO-1, and RGE enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), p38, and c-JUN N-terminal kinases (JNKs). These results suggested that RGE suppressed the production of NO, a proinflammatory mediator, by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt- and MAPK-dependent signaling in LTA-stimulated microglia. The findings indicate that RGE could be used for the treatment of neuroinflammation induced by grampositive bacteria and that it may have therapeutic potential for various neuroinflammation-associated disorders.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2020

Argyreia capitata (Vahl) Choisy is a species of the genus Argyreia. Although many studies have analyzed the biological activity of A. nervosa, A. speciasa, and A. acuta, the anti-inflammatory effect of A. capitata extract (ACE) remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of ACE using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory markers in RAW 264.7 cells. We confirmed that the ACE inhibited the LPS-induced NO (nitric oxide) and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression in RAW 264.7 cells. ACE suppressed not only the LPS-induced phosphorylation of IKK, IκB, and p65 but also IL-1β expression. Collectively, these results suggest that ACE is a novel anti-inflammatory agent that suppresses iNOS expression, NO production, and the NF-κB signaling pathways.