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ABSTRACT: Background & objectives: Obesity is now considered as a major risk factor for the development of fatty liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and atherosclerosis. SoSoSo is a newly developed dietary supplement made of seven medicinal herbs. This study was aimed at examining the anti-obesity effect of SoSoSo or its active ingredient chrysophanol on the production of inflammatory cytokines and adipokine in macrophyage cell line RAW264 and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: No release was measured as a form of nitrite by Griess method. The production of inflammatory cytokines and adipokine were measured with the ELISA method. The m-RNA expression of each cytokine and adipokine were measured using RT-PCR. The nuclear proteins for NF-κB were analyzed with western blotting. Results: SoSoSo or chrysophanol significantly inhibited the nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264 cells as well as in RAW264 cells-conditioned medium (CM)-treated 3T3-L1 cells. The production of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were inhibited by SoSoSo or chrysophanol. In addition, SoSoSo or chrysophanol inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB in RAW264 cells. SoSoSo or chrysophanol inhibited the productions of IL-6, TNF-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 as well as the reduction of adiponectin production in CM-treated 3T3-L1 cells. Interpretation & conclusions: These results suggest a potential of SoSoSo or chrysophanol as a source of anti-inflammatory agent for obesity. Further in vivo studies would be required to confirm these findings.
The Indian journal of medical research 01/2013; 137(1):142-150. · 1.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Interleukin (IL)-32 is an inflammatory cytokine induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis in a variety of cell types and discovered in the synovial of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) play several roles in the pathogenesis of RA. However, the role of IL-32 and TSLP in RA has not been elucidated. METHODS: We evaluated the specific mechanism of between IL-32 and TSLP in RA using human monocyte cell line, THP-1 cells. RESULTS: Here we documented for the first time that IL-32 highly increased TSLP production in THP-1 cells and human blood monocytes. TSLP expression was induced by IL-32 via activation of caspase-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB. TSLP produced by IL-32 increased differentiation of monocytes but depletion of TSLP prevented differentiation of monocytes into macrophage-like cells. Chondroprotective drugs such as chondroitin sulfate (CS) and the traditional Korean medicine, BaekJeol-Tang (BT) decrease production of TSLP and activation of caspase-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB. In addition, CS and BT inhibited IL-32-induced monocytes differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, IL-32 and TSLP are important cytokines involved in the development of RA. The effects of CS and BT were associated with the down-regulation of TSLP and caspase-1 through negative regulation of IL-32 pathways in RA.
Arthritis research & therapy 11/2012; 14(6):R259. · 4.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Mast cells play an important role in tumorigenesis. Histamine released from mast cells stimulates new vessel formation by acting through the histamine1 (H1) receptor. Despite the evidence of the role of mast cells in tumor growth and angiogenesis, the potential mechanism remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of mast cell-derived HIF-1α in melanoma growth. Here we identify that the most positive cells for HIF-1α staining are seen in mast cells of human and animal melanoma tissue. The number of the stromal cell types (fibroblasts, macrophages, and endothelial cells) was also increased in melanoma tissues. In activated bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF were increased. Histamine also induced the expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF in BMMCs. H1 receptor antagonists significantly improved overall survival rates and substantially suppressed tumor growth as well as the infiltration of mast cells and levels of VEGF through the inhibition of HIF-1α expression in B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice. Furthermore, the injection of HIF-1α depleted BMMCs markedly inhibited the growth of tumors and migration of mast cells and increased the survival rate of the mice. These findings emphasize that the growth of melanoma can actually be exacerbated by mast cell-derived HIF-1α. In aggregate, our results reveal a novel role for mast cell-derived HIF-1α in the melanoma microenvironment and have important implications for the design of therapeutic strategies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
International Journal of Cancer 11/2012; · 5.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The association of T helper (Th) 1 cells with obesity is well documented in both animals and humans. The T-box transcription factor (T-bet) is known as the transcription factor that is responsible for the development of Th1 cells. However, the role of T-bet in obesity has never been elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory function of T-bet on obesity in mice. Th1 cytokine levels were decreased, whereas Th2 cytokine level and GATA-3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were increased in T-bet knockout (KO) mice. T-bet KO male mice induced obesity as a result of increased body weight and food efficiency despite the fact that they feed a control diet. T-bet KO mice have an increase in weight of white adipose tissue and levels of triacylglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Interestingly, the expression levels of energy expenditure-related genes were decreased in T-bet KO mice. Both T-bet KO male and female mice had impaired glucose tolerance. In white adipose tissue, leptin, the increase in peroxisome proliferator receptor-γ and CAAT/enhancer-binding protein α mRNA expressions in T-bet KO mice was more than that in wild-type mice. Furthermore, we found that the level of interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA expression in white adipose tissue was elevated in T-bet KO mice but not IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α. IL-6 mRNA expression was increased in adipocyte fraction and stromal vascular fraction in white adipose tissue of T-bet KO mice. Taken together, our results reveal that T-bet may affect obesity through the regulation of IL-6 expression in adipocytes of white adipose tissue.
The Journal of nutritional biochemistry 08/2012; · 4.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays an important role in allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. Schizandrin has various effects such as anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of schizandrin on the production of TSLP has not been clarified. Thus, we investigated how schizandrin inhibits the production of TSLP in the human mast cell line HMC-1 cells.
We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, luciferase assay, and Western blot analysis to investigate the effects of schizandrin.
Schizandrin inhibited the production and mRNA expression of TSLP in HMC-1 cells. The maximal inhibition rate of TSLP production by schizandrin (10μM) was 68.62±3.47%. Schizandrin inhibited the translocation and luciferase activity of nuclear factor-κB induced by phorbol myristate acetate plus A23187. In the activated HMC-1 cells, the activation of caspase-1 was increased, whereas the activation of caspase-1 was decreased by pretreatment with schizandrin.
These results suggest that schizandrin can be used to treat inflammatory and atopic diseases through the inhibition of TSLP.
Life sciences 08/2012; 91(11-12):384-8. · 2.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Bamboo salt (BS) is a specially processed salt according to the traditional recipe using sun-dried salt (SDS) and bamboo in Korea. The present study investigated the effects and mechanism of BS, SDS, NaCl, or mineral mixture (containing zinc, magnesium, and potassium) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) animal model. The increased number of rubs was inhibited by the oral administration of BS, SDS, NaCl, mineral mixture, or nose inhalation of BS. The increased levels of IgE, histamine, and interleukin (IL)-1β in serum were reduced by BS. The level of interferon-γ was increased, whereas the level of IL-4 was reduced on the spleen tissue of BS-treated mice. In the BS-treated mice, the number of eosinophils and mast cells infiltration increased by OVA-sensitization were also decreased. Protein levels of inflammatory cytokines were reduced by BS or NaCl administration in the nasal mucosa of the AR mice. In addition, BS inhibited caspase-1 activity in the nasal mucosa tissue. In activated human mast cells, BS significantly inhibited the production of IL-1β and thymic stromal lymphopoietin and activation of caspase-1. Our data indicate that BS has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects by regulating of caspase-1 activation in AR mice and in vitro models.
Food and chemical toxicology: an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association 07/2012; 50(10):3480-8. · 2.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Context: Chitin is the polysaccharide and is found in insects, parasites and fungi. Chitin has shown various immunological effects in in vivo and in vitro models. In this study, crystallinity controlled N-acetyl glucosamine (CCG) which has a high solubility was prepared from the low molecular weight chitosan. However, the effect of CCG in an allergic response is not clear. Objective: To investigate the effect and regulatory mechanism of CCG on allergic responses. Methods: To demonstrate the effect of CCG, we induced systemic anaphylactic shock, ear swelling response, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), and inflammatory reaction. Results: CCG inhibited the compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock and ear swelling responses. IgE-mediated PCA was inhibited by the oral administration or topical application of CCG. Histamine and β-hexosaminidase release from mast cells was decreased with the treatment of CCG. CCG also inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187-induced interleukin-1β production and mRNA expression by suppressing NF-κB activation and IκBα phosphorylation. Furthermore, CCG suppressed the activation of caspase-1. Conclusion: These results suggest that CCG may have beneficial applicability as a candidate for an anti-allergic agent.
Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology 05/2012; · 1.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been implicated in the development and progression of allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. However, it has not been clarified that TSLP would be regulated by intracellular calcium in mast cells yet. To determine it, we blocked intracellular calcium by treatment with calcium chelator, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) in human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells. BAPTA-AM inhibited the production and mRNA expression of TSLP in phorbol myristate acetate plus A23187- stimulated HMC-1 cells. BAPTA-AM also inhibited the nuclear factor-κB activation, IκBα phosphorylation, receptor interacting protein2 (RIP2) expression, and caspase-1 activation in HMC-1 cells. These results provide evidence that calcium regulates the level of TSLP through RIP2/caspase-1/NF-κB/IκBα signal.
Cytokine 05/2012; 59(2):215-7. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, and is a public health problem throughout the world. It remains
the major cause of disability in the elderly, affecting about 60% of men and 70% of women above the age of 65. Even though
there are many medicines for treatment of OA throughout the world, therapeutic potential of traditional Korean medicine (TKM)
is not well known. Here we discussed the therapeutic potential of BaekJeol-tang (BJT, a prescription of TKM). Celecoxib is
approved in one or more countries worldwide for the relief of the signs and symptoms of OA, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis. Although celecoxib inhibited mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and increased mRNA
expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, celecoxib did not significantly inhibit IL-1α-induced release
of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and only slightly reduced type II collagen. On the other hand, BJT significantly inhibited the
release of GAG and type II collagen as well as regulated the mRNA expression of MMP-3 and TIMP-1. Through this article, we
have tried to provide some therapeutic potential of BJT in arthritis.
KeywordsOsteoarthritis–BaekJeol-tang–Type II collagen–Glycosaminoglycan
Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 04/2012; 11(1):11-13.
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ABSTRACT: Interleukin (IL)-8 (CXCL8) expression has been found to be increased in mast cells in atopic dermatitis. It is the most important
chemoattractant for immune cells. Pyeongwee-San is a traditional Korean medicine which has been using as a useful prescription
for treatment of atopic dermatitis. The objective of this study was to determine precisely the effect of Pyeongwee-San extract
(KMP6) on IL-8 expression using human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells. KMP6, HS-Pyeongwee-San (HS-PS, an over-the-counter drug
of the Han Kook Shin Yak Pharmaceutical Co., LTD.), and the important component of KMP6, hesperidin inhibited the phorbol
12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187-induced IL-8 secretion and mRNA expression in HMC-1 cells. These effects
were better than those of dexamethasone, the reference drug tested in our experimental model. Our results revealed the effect
of KMP6, which may act as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
KeywordsPyeongwee-San (KMP6)–Chemokine–Interleukin-8–Atopic dermatitis
Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 04/2012; 11(1):71-76.
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ABSTRACT: The present study was to investigate the effects of water extracts of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus stem extract (ADE) on an exacerbated immune function through utilization of a protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) diet. ADE
has been used in Korea as a tonic and sedative agents as well as a drug with ginseng like activities. However, there is no
pronouncing about the immune system on the PEM feeding mice. The immobility time were significantly decreased in the ADE-administrated
group as compared to the control group on the forced swimming test (P < 0.05). The level of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase in blood was significantly reduced in the ADE-administrated
group (P < 0.05). ADE also significantly decreased production of interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 but not IL-2 in splenocytes (P < 0.05). We used a manually antibody microarray to carry out the signaling protein microarray analysis. Unfortunately, we
did not find change of protein expression. These results suggest that ADE have the anti-fatigue effect and the immune regulation
effect.
Keywords
Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus
–Protein energy malnutrition–
Chlorella vulgaris
–Forced swimming test–Immune-regulation effect
Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 04/2012; 11(1):15-23.
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ABSTRACT: Exposure to environmental stresses and toxins is linked to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Astrocytes, the
most abundant glial-cell type in the brain, are considered to have physiological and pathological roles in neuronal activities.
We have investigated whether peppermint oil inhibits heat shock-induced apoptosis of astrocytes. We found that peppermint
oil inhibits the heat shock-induced apoptosis in both human astrocyte CCF-STTG1 cells and rat astrocytes. Pretreatment of
the cells with peppermint oil inhibited the heat shock-induced DNA fragmentation and condensation of nuclear chromatin. Peppermint
oil also inhibited the caspase-3 activation and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase fragmentation in CCF-STTG1 cells. These results
suggest that peppermint oil may modulate the apoptosis of astrocytes via the activation of the caspase-3.
Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 04/2012; 17(3):391-396. · 2.50 Impact Factor
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Hyung-Min Kim,
Hye-Young Shin, Hyun-Ja Jeong,
Hyo-Jin An,
Nam-Song Kim,
Han-Jung Chae,
Hyung-Ryong Kim,
Ho-Joon Song,
Kyung-Yo Kim,
Seung-Hwa Baek,
Kwang-Ho Cho,
Byung-Soon Moon,
Young-Mi Lee
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ABSTRACT: Cytokines in the central nervous system (CNS) may play an important role in functioning as intercellular signals that orchestrate
the response to injury. Whether this is a cause or result of the brain disease process is uncertain. We investigated IFN-γ,
IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IgE in the sera of 38 patients with cerebral infarction during the acute stage and 10 normal controls
using an originally devised sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that serum levels of IL-2
derived from T helper 1 (Th1) cells were slightly reduced in patients with cerebral infarction, whereas serum levels of IL-4
and IL-6 derived from Th2 cells were elevated significantly. IL-4 induces synthesis of IgE in human B cells. Endogenous IL-6
plays an obligatory role in IL-4-dependent human IgE synthesis. We observed that serum IgE levels were elevated significantly
in patients with cerebral infarction. However, serum IFN-γ levels were not elevated significantly in cerebral infarction patients.
These findings suggest that elevated IL-4, IL-6, and IgE levels in the human serum may be an important factor in cerebral
infarction during the acute stage. Decrease of IL-2 levels in the serum of patients with cerebral infarction may be a regulatory
mechanism.
Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 04/2012; 14(3):191-196. · 2.50 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The inhibitory effects of the water extract of HangAmDan-B(WEHAD-B), which is a crude extract of eight Korean medicinal animals
and plants on bFGF-induced neovascularization were investigated. WEHAD-B significantly prevented bFGF-induced HUVE cell proliferation,
adhesion, migration, and capillary-like tubular network formation. Half-maximal inhibition of proliferation on the endothelial
cells by WEHAD-B was observed at a concentration of approximately 250 μg/mL. Our antibody microarray-based ProteoChip data
showed that WEHAD-B increased the expression of STAT1 and Rb2, which are involved in cell growth, apoptosis, and controlling
the cell cycle in bFGF-induced HUVECs. These results indicate that the inhibition of bFGF-induced angiogenesis by WEHAD-B
may be due to upregulation of cell signaling proteins, STAT1 and Rb2. The blood vessel formation in a chick chorioallantoic
membrane (CAM) treated with WEHAD-B was markedly reduced in length compared with a PBS-treated control group. Taken together,
these data suggest that antibody-arrayed ProteoChip technology may be an useful tool for determining molecular mechanism of
natural products in biological samples.
KeywordsHAD-Anti-angiogenesis-Antibody chip array-Proteomic profiling-HUVECs
BioChip journal 04/2012; 4(4):350-355. · 0.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing due to rapid industrialization and changes in lifestyle. Pyeongwee-San (KMP6) is a traditional Korean medicine that has been used as a basic prescription for digestive disorders. This study investigated the efficacy of KMP6 and its component hesperidin on experimental allergic models.
The anti-allergic effect of KMP6 was studied against a compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction and the ear swelling response. In addition, a human mast cell line (HMC-1) was used to analyze the activity of histidine decarboxylase. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) from immunoglobulin E (IgE) was used.
KMP6 and hesperidin inhibited the compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction and the ear swelling response as well as histamine release, intracellular calcium levels and tryptase release from rat peritoneal mast cells. KMP6 inhibited histidine decarboxylase activity in stimulated HMC-1 cells and macrophages. In addition, KMP6 inhibited the PCA reaction induced by IgE as well as the levels of IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13 in serum from mice.
These results suggest that KMP6 may exert an anti-allergic effect through not only the inhibition of mast cell degranulation but also the inhibition of histamine synthesis.
The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. 02/2012; 64(2):308-16.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anti-fatigue effect of Zizania caudiflora (Turczaninow) Nakai (ZC) and hydrolyzed ZC by malted barley (HZC) through a forced swimming test (FST) in mice. After the first measurement of immobility times, the mice were divided into control, fluoxetine, ZC, and HZC groups to match the swimming times in each group. The immobility times in the FST of the control as well as the fluoxetine, ZC, and HZC-administered groups after administration for three days were 135.3 ± 3.3,66.8 ± 3.9,120.2 ± 2.7, and 123.2 ± 2.9 sec, respectively. The immobility times in the FST of the ZC and HZC-administered groups for 14 days were significantly decreased in comparison with the control group (p < 0.01). In addition, the immobility times of ZC and HZC-administered groups for 14 days in the tail-suspension test were also significantly decreased in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). The plasma levels of albumin, glucose, and total protein were significantly increased and creatine phosphokinase was significantly decreased in the ZC and HZC-administered groups compared to the control group. However, the levels of lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen in the ZC and HZC-administered groups did not represent a significant difference compared to the control group. In summary, these results suggest that ZC or HZC might be a candidate for an anti-fatigue agent.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 01/2012; 40(1):111-20. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In acupuncture, adaptation to energy flows in body cycles is the key to health and therapy. From the evolution of our thinking about acupuncture, we developed the Life-Energy (Qi) oriental needle (Qi needle). It contains a rotating electromagnetic wave and has a strong affinity for the meridians. We report for the first time on the effect of acupuncture by using a Qi needle (Qi acupuncture) on rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model of human demyelinating multiple sclerosis. Both Qi acupuncture (QA) and general acupuncture (GA) were used on the limbs, at the shaoshang (LU11) and zhongchong (PC9) acupoints, of rats from one day post-immunization (dpi) to 12 dpi. The therapy in the QA groups significantly blocked the onset of EAE paralysis (3/13, 77%, p < 0.05) while all rats in the control EAE groups (12/15) and GA groups (11/13) showed EAE paralysis. In addition, the duration of paralysis was shortened in QA groups (1.5 ± 0.5 days) compared with those of the vehicle (5.5 ± 0.2 days) and GA groups (3.6 ± 1.1 days). The numbers of inflammatory cells and CD4(+) T cells in the QA treated EAE group were significantly reduced compared with those of the EAE control and EAE with GA (p < 0.05). Collectively, the present findings suggest that QA ameliorates the paralysis in rats in an EAE model. The precise mechanism of the amelioration and human studies, however, needs further study.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 01/2012; 40(4):769-78. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Isothiocyanates (ITCs) play a major role in the potential chemopreventive effect. Cruciferous vegetables are a particularly abundant source of ITCs. Methallyl ITC (MAITC) belongs to ITCs as a synthesized compound. However, the effects of MATIC have never been elucidated. The aim of this work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of methallyl isothiocyanate (MAITC) in mast cells. MAITC suppressed the intracellular calcium levels in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells. MAITC significantly inhibited the production and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells. The activities of caspase-1 and receptor interacting protein-2 were significantly inhibited by the treatment with MAITC in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells. The activation of nuclear factor-κB and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and IκBα were inhibited by the treatment with MAITC. In addition, MAITC significantly inhibited the production and mRNA expression of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Furthermore, MAITC significantly inhibited caspase-1 enzymatic activity and reactive oxygen species generation in PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Taken together, we can conclude that MAITC showed an anti-inflammatory effect on mast cell-mediated inflammatory reaction.
Biochimie 12/2011; 94(3):816-22. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recently, some studies reported that digestive tract disease is closely associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Pyeongwee-San (KMP6) is a Korean medicine, which has come onto the drugstore for the treatment of digestive tract disease. The aim of the present study was to examine whether KMP6 could suppress 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.
Mice were sensitized with DNFB by applying to shaved dorsal skin. At that time, the drugs or saline were orally administrated to DNFB-applied mice.
The administration of KMP6 or glycyrrhizic acid (GL), a major component of KMP6, inhibited the scratching number in DNFB-induced AD model. The mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and CCR3 were upregulated by DNFB sensitization, but the upregulated mRNA expressions were significantly reduced by the administration of KMP6 or GL. In addition, the levels of IgE, histamine, and IL-4 were significantly reduced by the administration of KMP6 or GL in serum of DNFB-induced AD model. However, the level of IFN-γ in serum was significantly increased by KMP6 or GL. KMP6 or GL also significantly inhibited the numbers of inflammatory cells, mast cells, and protein level of IL-4 in lesions of DNFB-induced AD model. Finally, KMP6 or GL significantly decreased the productions of IL-4, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 antibody-stimulated splenocytes.
KMP6 showed anti-atopic potential in this setting; hence we suggest it as a potential prospect for anti-atopic agent besides being just a medicine for the stomach and bowels.
Life sciences 10/2011; 90(3-4):147-53. · 2.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Soybean is a useful component of traditional Korean medicine with well-documented health-promoting effects. We investigated the effects of alcohol-fermented soybean (AFS) on immune function. When AFS treatment was used in combination with recombinant interferon-γ (rIFN-γ), there was a marked cooperative induction of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. AFS increased the expression of inducible NO synthase mRNA and protein in rIFN-γ-primed macrophages. Treating macrophages with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), decreased the synergistic effects of AFS. In addition, AFS in combination with rIFN-γ increased the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase. However, AFS had no effect on phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by itself. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 or the JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited the AFS-induced NO and TNF-α production. When AFS was used in combination with rIFN-γ, there was a co-operative activation of NF-κB and receptor-interacting protein 2 (Rip2)/IκB kinase (IKK)-β. Our results indicate that AFS increases the production of NO and TNF-α through the activation of Rip2/IKK-β in rIFN-γ-primed macrophages.
Journal of medicinal food 09/2011; 14(10):1181-9. · 1.39 Impact Factor
