• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1079-1087
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• 2021

Gentisic acid (GA), a benzoic acid derivative present in various food ingredients, has been shown to have diverse pharmaceutical activities such as anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects. In this study, we used a co-culture system to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic effects of GA on macrophages and adipocytes, respectively, as well as its effect on obesity-related chronic inflammation. We found that GA effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses by controlling the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating inflammation-related protein pathways. GA treatment also inhibited lipid accumulation in adipocytes by modulating the expression of major adipogenic transcription factors and their upstream protein pathways. Furthermore, in the macrophage-adipocyte co-culture system, GA decreased the production of obesity-related cytokines. These results indicate that GA possesses effective anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic activities and may be used in developing treatments for the management of obesity-related chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.202-210
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• 2018

Abeliophyllum distichum is a medicinal plant used in regional traditional medicine to relieve pain in inflammatory processes. In this study, anti-inflammatory effects of Abeliophyllum distichum flower (ADF) extract were examined. Furthermore, possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects were dissected. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in murine macrophage-like cell line Raw264.7 cells. The measurement of the induced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were carried out by ELISA. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and MAPK, and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 were investigated by Western blot analysis. The extract of ADF significantly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the extract suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and the nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 in activated cells. Our findings provide evidence for the popular use of Abeliophylli distichum in inflammation around Goesan region and also suggest that the flower extract has potential therapeutic benefits against various inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.669-676
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• 2019

Zanthoxylum piperitum D.C. (ZP) peels has been used as a natural spice and herb medicine for hypertension reduction, for strokes, and for its anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant activity. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms employed by ZP have yet to be completely understood. In this study, we elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ZP in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. We evaluated the effects of ZP in LPS-induced levels of inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and caspase-1 using ELISA. The expression levels of inflammatory-related genes, including cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), were assayed by Western blot analysis. We elucidated the effect of ZP on nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation by means of a luciferase activity assay. The findings of this study demonstrated that ZP inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokine and PGE₂ and inhibited the increased levels of COX-2 and iNOS caused by LPS. Additionally, we showed that the anti-inflammatory effect of ZP arises by suppressing the activation of NF-κB and caspase-1 in LPS- induced RAW264.7 cells. These results provide novel insights into the pharmacological actions of ZP as a potential candidate for development of new drugs to treat inflammatory diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.371-376
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• 2012

To investigate the therapeutic effect of a Korean herbal medicine Pulsatilla koreana as an anti-septic agent, anti-inflammatory effects of the herbal medicine were determined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rats. Treatment with a methanol extract from Pulsatilla koreana significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory responses. Results from ELISA analysis showed that Pulsatilla koreana decreased the plasma and hepatic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ while increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in LPS-exposed rats. Pulsatilla koreana also decreased the plasma levels of other inflammatory mediators such as $NO_3{^-}/NO_2{^-}$, ICAM-1, $PGE_2$, and CINC-1 in LPS-exposed rats. Although no significant effects were observed in the phagocytic activities, the distribution of lymphocyte population was significantly shifted by the treatment with Pulsatilla koreana. All together, Pulsatilla koreana exerts anti-inflammatory activities in the immune-challenged animals implicating that this Korean herbal medicine is therapeutically useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases like sepsis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.67-73
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• 2007

There have been various inflammatory skin disorders in humans including atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. Although some drugs have been used for these disorders, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective topical anti-inflammatory agents. Plant flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory activity and some of them have multiple pharmacological mechanisms, inhibition of eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes, histamine release and/or down-regulation of pro inflammatory gene expression. These properties of flavonoids may be suitable for treating chronic skin inflammatory disorders. Especially, wogonin, some prenylated flavonoids and biflavonoids have a strong potential as new anti-inflammatory agents by topical application.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2013

Rutin is one of the major flavonoids found in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). While rutin is already known to exhibit anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. However, the health beneficial function of rutin metabolites is not well understood. In DPPH radical scavenging assays, the present study found that 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid had the highest total anti-oxidant activity, followed by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, rutin, homovanillic acid, and 3-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid. Further, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid strongly reduced LPS-induced IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells, compared with other metabolites. Therefore, these results suggest that rutin metabolites have potential to be utilized as food ingredients with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2022

The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of Lindera glauca (ELG). We found that ELG significantly suppressed NO production through decreased enzyme activity and expression of iNOS in the IFN-γ/LPS-activated murine peritoneal macrophages. The treatment of ELG also down-regulated the expression of COX-2. Our western blot data revealed that inhibitory effects of ELG on these pro-inflammatory mediators were attributed to inactivation of NF-κB. In addition, ELG-fed mice showed a marked decrease in paw edema induced by subplantar injection of trypsin, suggesting in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of ELG. We further investigated the anti-nociceptive properties of ELG using thermal and chemical nociception model. We found that ELG has a strong anti-nociceptive activities in both central and peripheral mechanism. An additional combination test with naloxone revealed that opioid receptor was not involved in the ELG-mediated anti-nociception. In conclusion, ELG may possibly be used as valuable anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and pains.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.51-58
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• 2016

Objectives This study was designed to investigate whether the Cheongajihwang-Tang (CT) has an inhibitory effect association with oxidation or inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. Methods Cytotoxic activity of CT extract on RAW264.7 cells was evaluated by using 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) solution. Nitric oxide production was measured using Griess reagent system. The total phenolic contents and 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was measured to evaluate the anti-oxidative effects of CT. Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) has been used as a substrate for measuring intracellular oxidant production. Results Cheongajihwang-Tang does not impair the cell viability in tested concentration. CT showed anti-oxidative effects in vitro by decreasing electron donating ability, and also showed anti-inflammatory effects suppressing NO and ROS expression in LPS induced RAW264.7 activation. CT inhibited the generation of intracellular ROS production as dose dependant manner. Conclusions CT has anti-oxidative effects and anti-inflammatory activities. These results indicate that CT extract has an anti-inflammatory activities via anti-oxidative effects.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2014

Shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., has been considered a health food for centuries in Asia and is known to contain the isothiocyanate compound sulforaphane. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of a sulforaphane-containing solution (SCS) isolated from shepherd's purse. SCS had significant anti-inflammatory activity indicated by the decreased levels of nitric oxide (NO), cytokines (interleukin $1{\beta}$ [IL-$1{\beta}$], IL-6, and IL-10), and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. In addition, SCS decreased the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) levels, which confirmed the anti- inflammatory activity of SCS. Further, SCS inhibited vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Bacillus anthracis. The minimal inhibitory concentration was $250{\mu}g/ml$ for VRE and $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ for B. anthracis. Taken together, these data indicate that SCS has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-superbacterial properties, and thus it can be used as a functional food or pharmaceutical.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2007

Curcumin, a dietary pigment responsible for the yellow color of curry, has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects such as anti- inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral activity. In order to examine the potency of the curcumin in inflammation we used carrageenan induced rat hind paw odema model. As curcumin is practically water insoluble, it is hypothesized that pharmacological activity of curcumin could be improved by enhancing its water solubility. Water soluble complexes of curcumin with cyclodextrins were prepared and screened for greater solubility. Pure curcumin 100 mg/kg body weight along with curcumin complexes equivalent to 100 mg/kg body weight of pure curcumin were tested for the anti-inflammatory activity in Wister rats male rats using carrageenan induced hind paw edema model and compared with that of the reference compound diclofenac sodium at a dose level of 10 mg/kg body weight. Results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. All the treatment groups showed statistically significant anti-inflammatory activity compared with that of vehicle control and positive control.