• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Curcumin is naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in turmeric and has many pharmacological activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-allergic inflammatory activity of curcumin, and to investigate its inhibitory mechanisms in immunoglobulin E (IgE)/Ag-induced mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and in a mouse model of IgE/Ag-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA). Curcumin inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) dependent prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) dependent leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) generation dose-dependently in BMMCs. To probe the mechanism involved, we assessed the effects of curcumin on the phosphorylation of Syk and its downstream signal molecules. Curcumin inhibited intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx via phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$ ($PLC{\gamma}1$) activation and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) pathway. Furthermore, the oral administration of curcumin significantly attenuated IgE/Ag-induced PSA, as determined by serum $LTC_4$, $PGD_2$, and histamine levels. Taken together, this study shows that curcumin offers a basis for drug development for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.2 s.57
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• pp.69-74
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• 2006

Selaginella tamariscina with the popular Korean name Keoun Back, is a traditional medicinal plant for therapy of advanced cancer patients in the Orient. In this study, we evaluated anti-aging activity of S. tamariscina using processed technology and investigated diverse biological activities of processed S. tamariscina (PST) as an anti-aging ingredient of cosmetics. PST, heated with sand, used to different purpose compared with origin in medicine. PST raises total phenol concentration and enhances the DPPH radical scavenging activity. For testing intracellular ROS scavenging activity, the cultured human dermal fibroblasts were analyzed by increase in dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence upon exposure to UVB $20 mJ/cm^2$ after treatment of PST. UVA-induced MMP-1 expression in human dermal fibroblasts was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by PST. Taken together, 4hese results suggest that PST may act as an anti-aging agent by preventing the skin cell from damage induced by UV irradiation, and imply that PST may be useful as a new ingredient for anti-aging cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.526-532
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• 2015

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SJ) is a perennial plant and its root has been used in oriental traditional medicine for treatment of fever, inflammation, diarrhea and anticancer effect, etc. In this study, plant tissue culture system for SJ was developed. Stem piece of younger plant was optimum explant for callus induction and growth on MS medium supplemented with NAA 1.0 ㎎/L plus BA 0.5 ㎎/L. Plantlet regeneration through callus culture was well on MS medium containing NAA 1.0 mg/L. SJ has been known biologically active substances such as baicalin, baiclein, and wogonin. This study was carried out to examine the effect of plant growth regulators for production of baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin through callus culture. The HPLC pattern of callus extract was identical to that of standard solution, it shows that the callus produced by tissue culture has the same flavonoids composition of SJ. Baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin production was 471.5~52.8 ㎍/g, 137.6~4.0 ㎍/g, and 16.6~1.3 ㎍/g, respectively, on MS media with nine different plant growth regulator combinations. This may indicate that plant tissue culture of SJ possible to produce the biologically active substances effectively

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.4 s.85
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• pp.287-293
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• 2005

Pollen has been used for Prevention or treatment of certain diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, or cancer in traditional medicine. In addition, pollen is under investigation as a host cell for a gene expression. This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunologic safety of pollen intake. BALB/c mice were administered with 500, 50,5, or 0.5 mg/kg bw of lily pollen for five times a week for four weeks through gastric intubation. Comparing the control mice administered with distilled water, no significant changes were observed in body weight gain, weight of liver, spleen, lung, and his-topathological findings of liver and kidney of the mice groups administered with the pollen. Plasma level of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgE was not different among the groups. When splenic B lymphocytes were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharides for 7 days, level of IgGl and IgGwa produced in the culture supernatants was not significantly different among the groups. Furthermore, no significant alteration was observed in IL-4 and $IFN{\gamma}$ producing ability with splenic T lymphocytes stimulated in vitro with phytohemagglutinins for 48 hours between the pollen-administered and the control mice. Overall, this study suggests that the lily pollen intake is Inducing no significant modulation of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in mice.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2004

Geniposide and its related iridoid compounds have been used in traditional herbal medicine for thε treatment of Jaundice hepatic diseases and various inflammatorys. For the purpose to increase trandsdermal absorption, the hydrolyzed products of Gardeniae Furctus were identified and assayed of active ingredients and investigated trandsdermal absorption and anti-inflammatory effects. Geniposide was hydrolyzed to genipin by ${\beta}-glucosidase$ and it was suggested that genipin was more suitable form than geniposide for transdermal absorption by its lipophilic property. Using Franz type diffusion cell and the skin of hairless mouse, the permeation rate of hydrolyzed products and their emulsion preparation were determined. Genipin have more increased absorption ratio through the skin of hairless mouse than geniposide. Also, the emulsion of hydrolyzed products of extracts showed higher permeability than that of nonhydrolyzed preparations. After 9 hours $280.85\;{\mu}g/cm^2$ of genipin was absorbed and $193.52\;{\mu}g/cm^2$ in case of geniposide. The Js of geniposide and genipin were $26.27{\pm}4.11\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$ and $40.35{\pm}5.04\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$ respectively. After carrageenan injection, the swelling was increased repidly to 24 hr and maintained as plateau. but emulsion group weer reached about 2.5 mL and the swelling decreased successively form 24 hr to 72 hr. The anti-inflammation effects of extracts and hydrolyzed products emulsion were increased with significant difference with control group after 24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr. In carrageenan induced edema, inhibition of swelling was increased in case of hydrolyzed product emulsion compare with nonhydrolyzed group at 24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr after swelling. In histological study, the anti-inflammatory effects of hydrolyzed products were remarkable at 48 hr and 72 hr compare with nonhydrolyzed. Hydrolyzed products of Gardeniae Fructus extracts containing genipin would be a suitable preparation to increase the transdermal absorption and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2005

Pollen has been used for prevention or treatment of certain diseases such as diabetes arthritis or cancer in traditional medicine. Among various pollens, pine tree pollen is known to relieve hypertension, suppress fatty liver progression, and facilitate the digestion, but its immunological activities are less known. To evaluate immunological reactivities and immunotoxicities of pine tree pollen, BALB/c mice were administered to the poller through oral route. Pine tree pollen suspended in distilled water or extracted with methanol has been administered at the concentration of 0, 10, or 100 mg/kg five days per week for four weeks. Polyclonal activation of splenic T cells with phytohemagglutinins did not induce a significant difference in IL-4 and $IFN_{\gamma}$ production between the pollen-administered mice groups and the control mice. Furthermore, polyclonal activation of splenic B cells with lipopolysaccharides did not result a significant difference in IgG1 and IgG2a production among the groups. These findings imply that the intake of pine tree pollen does not bring any humoral and cellular immune-dysrequlation. Whereas, viability of Listeria monocytogenes was suppressed in the mice administered with 100 mg/kg bw methanol extract, indicating the potential ability of pine tree pollen to enhance cell-mediated immunity mediated by type-1 helper T cells. In addition, aberrant upregulation of plasma IgG1 level was observed in the pollen-administered mice, which suggests a possibility of allergic response induction through the pine tree pollen uptake. Overall, pine tree pollen-mediated modulation of humoral or cellular immunity is worthy of further systematic investigation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.265-274
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nelumbo leaves have been used in traditional medicine to treat bleeding, gastritis, hemorrhoids, and halitosis. However, their mechanisms have not been elucidated. MATERIALS/METHODS: The present study prepared two Nelumbo leaf extracts (NLEs) using water or 50% ethanol. Inflammatory response was induced with LPS treatment, and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 and nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) productions were assessed. To determine the anti-inflammatory mechanism of NLEs, we measured nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity. Major metabolites of NLEs were also analyzed and quantified. RESULTS: NLEs effectively reduced the expression and productions of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, $PGE_2$, and NO. NLEs also reduced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by inhibiting inhibitor of NF-${\kappa}B$ phosphorylation. Both extracts contained catechin and quercetin, bioactive compounds of NLEs. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we showed that NLEs could be used to inhibit NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated inflammatory responses. In addition, our data support the idea that NLEs can ameliorate disease conditions involving chronic inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1885-1895
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• 2020

Rumex japonicus Houtt (RJH) is a valuable plant used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases, such as scabies and jaundice. In this study, Jurkat cell growth inhibitory extracts of R. japonicus roots were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation, resulting in the isolation of three naphthalene derivatives (3-5) along with one anthraquinone (6) and two phenolic compounds (1 and 2). Among these compounds, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects on Jurkat cells. Analysis by flow cytometry confirmed that 2-methoxystypandrone (5) could significantly reduce mitochondrial membrane potential and promote increased levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting a strong mitochondrial depolarization effect. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was also performed, and the results revealed that the accumulation of ROS was caused by reduced mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase (HO-1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) triggered strong apoptosis that was mediated by the arrest of the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) downregulated p-IκB-α, p-NF-κB p65, Bcl2, and Bcl-xl and upregulated BAX proteins. Taken together, these findings revealed that 2-methoxystypandrone (5) isolated from RJH could potentially serve as an early lead compound for leukemia treatment involving intracellular signaling by increasing mitochondrial ROS and exerting anti-proliferative effects.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2021

Asarum sieboldii Miq. (Aristolochiaceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant and has been used as traditional medicine for treating diseases, cold, fever, phlegm, allergies, chronic gastritis, and acute toothaches. Also, it has various biological activities, such as antiallergic, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, and antifungal. However, the anticancer effect of A. sieboldii have been rarely reported, except anticancer effect on lung cancer cell (A549) of water extracts of A. sieboldii. This study investigated the anticancer activity of methanol extracts of A. sieboldii (MeAS) and the underlying mechanism in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. MeAS inhibited FaDu cells grown dose-dependently without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and live and dead assay. In addition, concentration of MeAS without cytotoxicity (0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL) inhibited migration and colony formation. Moreover, MeAS treatment significantly induced apoptosis through the proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, -9, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, 4'6-diamidino-2-phenylindole stain, and western blotting. Altogether, these results suggest that MeAS exhibits strong anticancer effects by suppressing the growth of oral cancer cells and the migration and colony formation via caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, MeAS can serve as a natural chemotherapeutic for human oral cancer.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2021

The Coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) is the main secondary metabolite of Mikania laevigata Sch. Beep ex Baker and Mikania glomerata Spreng., which are popularly known as guaco. These plants have been used mainly in traditional medicine in the treatment of respiratory diseases because their bronchodilator effect. However, there are around 200 species of Mikania, which are quite similar in appearance. From these, only M. leavigata and M. glomerata have high concentrations of coumarins. In this line, the falsification of products Mikania based has been frequent. In this sense, this work demonstrated the application of the easy, fast, e not destructive method based in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in quantitative mode (qNMR) for the determination of coumarin in both commercial and homemade guaco products. Thus, in the first step the compounds were extract from guaco leaves and syrups using chloroform (CHCl₃), with or without ultrasound. About the method, was linear with a R² = 0.9947 for 1,2-benzopyrone, with detection and quantification limits with were 0.11 and 0.36 mg mL^-1 respectively. In the same line, the method was safe with RSD <0.3% and with recovery ranging from 93-101%. To confirm the applicability of the method, in the last step was applied to 10 real samples (6 from leaves and 4 from syrups). The content of the coumarin in the leaf extract ranged from 0.62 to 1.30 mg mL^-1. For syrups I, II and IV, the content of coumarin was in accordance with the manufacturers. However, for de Syrup III, the concentration was 155% higher. In summary, the qNMR is a rapid method with minimal sample preparation that can be used to quantify coumarin in home-made plant extracts as well as in commercial samples as syrup for instance. This method is applicable for quality control of different plants-based products.