• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.453-462
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), an oriental herbal medicine, has been known to improve liver function, and has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the immune-enhancing effects of PG and its mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fermented PG extract (FPGE), which has increased platycodin D content, activates the immune response in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using Griess reagent. Cytokine messenger RNA levels of were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory actions of FPGE in RAW 264.7 cells, we have conducted luciferase reporter gene assay and western blotting. RESULTS: We found that FPGE treatment induced macrophage cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. FPGE also modulated the expression of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The activation and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were increased by FPGE treatment. Moreover, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, an activator of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), significantly reduced both lipopolysaccharides- and FPGE-induced NF-κB reporter gene activity. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings suggest that FPGE may be a novel immune-enhancing agent acting via AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.641-649
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• 2014

The antiobesity effect of commercial kochujang and fermented wheat grains in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was studied. The experiment was consisted of 6 groups. Normal, high fat diet (HFD), HFD+raw wheat grains, HFD+first fermented wheat grains (FFWG, with Aspergillus oryzae) HFD+final fermented wheat grains (FiFWG, fermented more for 30~40 days), and HFD+ commercial kochujang. The results showed that final body weight, weight gain, food efficiency ratio, and adipose tissue weight were markedly decreased by the commercial kochujang and the fermented wheat grains, whereas non-fermented raw wheat grains had no such effect. Lipid contents such as total lipid, total triglyceride and total cholesterol decreased in the serum and organs of liver and adipose tissues by the commercial kochujang and the fermented wheat grains as well. These results also indicated that fermented wheat grains exhibited more suppressive effects on high fat induced-obesity than raw wheat grains. Increased fermentation time and adding the red pepper powder resulted in increased the anti-obesity effect. Especially, commercial kochujang showed higher antiobestic effects than fermented wheat grains. These in vivo findings suggested that well-fermented end products of the wheat grains and red pepper powder in kochujang could be useful in the prevention of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.305-312
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• 2016

This study examined the effects of trifoliate orange extract (TOE) on inflammatory reactions at the time of an LPS shock by performing experiments on rats injected with trifoliate orange extract and in Raw 264.7 cell cultures, with the aim of developing a new anti-inflammatory medicine. The IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations were lower in all of the groups treated with TOE than in the control group after 5 h of LPS treatment. The IL-10 concentration was higher in the 300-㎎/㎏ TOE group than in the control group after 2 h and 5 h of LPS treatment. The liver concentrations of cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 decreased more in the groups treated with TOE than in the control group and the IL-6 concentration did not differ significantly between the 100-㎎/㎏ TOE group than in the control group. The TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations did not differ significantly between the TOE groups and the control group. In the experiments involving Raw 264.7 macrophage cultures subjected to LPS shock, the productions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α decreased in all of the groups treated with TOE compared to the control group. The IL-10 concentration did not differ significantly between the groups treated with TOE and the control group. Together the findings of this study suggest that TOE contains functional substances that can influence inflammatory reactions.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.92-92
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• 2018

Solanum nigrum L. (SNL), generally known as black nightshade, is traditionally used as medicine to reduce inflammation caused by several diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis and liver cirrhosis. In this study, anti-inflammatory effects of SNL extract were examined and possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects were investigated. The inhibitory effects of SNL extract on nitric oxide (NO), pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6) and Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) productions were dissected using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated murine macrophage-like cell line Raw264.7 cells and human microglial cell line BV2 cells. We further investigated whether SNL extract could suppress the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 in LPS-stimulated Raw264.7 cells and BV2 cells. As a result, we showed that the SNL extract significantly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, NO, and MMP-9. In addition, the SNL strongly inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, p38 and nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 in activated cells. We confirmed that the extracts of SNL effectively inhibits the anti-inflammatory and may be used as a therapeutic to various inflammatory diseases.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1989 no.05
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• pp.29-34
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• 1989

300 MHz proton NMR spectra of human blood plasma were analyzed by deconvolution of spectrum, and we compared its results with Fossel's test in normal (15 cases), liver cancer (14 cases) , and other cancer (14 cases) groups. This analysis had enabled us to obtain dynamic characteristics of each individual lipoprotein. As a result of deconvolution method, the VLDL and chylomicron intensity level were found to be elevated in the patients with liver cancer. Moment ratio values of $CH_2$ resonance in the raw spectrum were found to be higher than the normal group for patients with, malignant tumors other than liver cancer. These differences between the three groups could not be found in the conventional Fossel's test. We could simulate plasma spectra by addition of spectra of individual lipoproteins through deconvolution method. Further clinical trials in larger populations and additional biochemical method may shed new light on many of clinical and biochemical interests for knowing characteristics about lipoprotein not separated from blood and the background of Fossel test.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2013

An overview of the epidemiological, biological, and clinical studies of Taenia and taeniasis in Taiwan for the past century is presented. The phenomenal observations that led to the discovery of Taenia asiatica as a new species, which differ from Taenia solium and Taenia saginata, are described. Parasitological surveys of the aborigines in Taiwan revealed a high prevalence of taeniasis, which might be due to the culture of eating raw liver of hunted wild boars. Chemotherapeutic deworming trials involving many patients with taeniasis were discussed. Praziquantel was found to be very effective, but sometimes complete worms could not be recovered from the feces after treatment, probably due to the dissolution of the proglottids. Atabrine, despite some side effects, can still be used, in properly controlled dosages, as the drug of choice for human T. asiatica infection if we need to recover the expelled worms for morphological examinations. Research results on the infection of T. asiatica eggs from Taiwan aborigines in experimental animals were also noted. Since the pig serve as the natural intermediate host of T. asiatica and the predilection site is the liver, a differential comparison of other parasitic pathogens that might cause apparently similar lesions is also presented.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3721-3725
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• 2016

The liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is a serious health problem in Thailand. Infection is associated with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), endemic among human populations in northeast and north Thailand where raw fish containing fluke metacercariae are frequently consumed. Recently, Thailand public health authorities have been organized to reduce morbidity and mortality particularly in the northeast through O. viverrini and CCA screening projects. Health modification is one of activities included in this campaign, but systemic guidelines of modifying and developing health behavior among liver fluke and CCA prevention in communities towards health belief and social support theory are still various and unclear. Here we review the guidelines for modifying and developing health behavior among populations in rural communities to strengthen understanding regarding perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers to liver fluke and CCA prevention. This model may be useful for public health officers and related organizations to further health behavior change in endemic areas.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2024

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by an increase in hepatic triglyceride content and increased inflammatory macrophage infiltration through the C-C motif chemokine receptor (CCR) 5 pathway in the liver. DA-6034 (7-carboxymethyloxy-3',4',5-trimethoxy flavone), is a synthetic derivative of eupatilin that exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in inflammatory bowel disease. However, the effect of DA-6034 on the inflammatory response in NAFLD is not well elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of DA-6034 on hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Methods: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following four groups: (1) regular diet (RD), (2) RD with DA-6034, (3) high fat diet (HFD), and (4) HFD with DA-6034. All mice were sacrificed 12 weeks after the start of the experiment. The effects of DA-6034 on macrophages were assessed using RAW 264.7 cells. Results: DA-6034 not only reduced hepatic triglyceride levels and lipid accumulation but also macrophage infiltration and proinflammatory cytokines in HFD-fed mice. According to fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, DA-6034 reduced the CD8⁺ T cell fraction in the liver of HFD-fed mice. DA-6034 also reduced CCR5 expression and the migration of liver macrophages in HFD-fed mice and inhibited CCR2 ligand and CCR4 ligand, which stimulated the migration of macrophages. Conclusion: Overall, DA-6034 attenuates hepatic steatosis and inflammation in obesity by regulating CCR5 expression in macrophages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.659-670
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• 2017

Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors responsible for progression of liver injury. A variety of functions of oyster hydrolysate (OH) are affected by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, little is known regarding the effects of OH on a liver injury model. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of OH on acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN) in mice. Experimental groups were divided into six groups as follows (each group, n=10): control (saline), LPS/D-GalN, LPS/D-GalN+OH (100 mg/kg), LPS/D-GalN+OH (200 mg/kg), LPS/D-GalN+OH (400 mg/kg), and LPS/D-GalN+silymarin (25 mg/kg, positive control). The experimental acute liver injury model was induced with LPS ($1{\mu}g/kg$) and D-GalN (400 mg/kg). We first analyzed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in OH. OH showed high DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reduced ROS generation in Chang cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, OH showed anti-inflammatory activities, such as inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipooxygenase. Treatment with OH down-regulated tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and $IL-1{\alpha}$ expression levels in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. OH significantly reduced LPS/D-GalN-induced increases in the concentrations of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum. In the LPS/D-GalN group, liver tissues exhibited apoptosis of hepatocytes with hemorrhages. These pathological alterations were ameliorated by OH treatment. Consistently, hepatic catalase activity was low in the LPS/D-GalN group compared to the control group, and catalase activity was significantly restored by OH treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, OH markedly reduced the LPS/D-GalN-induced increase in $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 levels in liver tissue. Taken together, these results show that OH has hepatoprotective effects on LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting that OH could be used as a health functional food and potential therapeutic agent for acute liver injury.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.491-500
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• 2022

HK shiitake mushroom mycelium (HKSMM), containing 14% β-glucan, is a health functional food ingredient individually approved by the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for liver health. The anti-inflammatory effect of a 50% aqueous ethanol extract of HKSMM (designated HKSMM50) was studied in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). An active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) was used as a positive control. LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells were treated with HKSMM50 and AHCC (0, 20, 100, 500 ㎍/ml) and cultured for 24 hr. Inflammation-related elements in the supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in the cells was analyzed by Western blotting. The HKSMM50 lowered iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) contents in a concentration-dependent manner as compared to LPS treatment. Similarly, the HKSMM50 lowered the content of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) contents and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The efficacy of the AHCC treatment was similar to that of the HKSSM50 treatments. These results indicate that HKSMM50 showed an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells by down-regulation of NF-κB signaling and suggest that HKSMM could be used as a health functional food ingredient to help improve immune function.