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Mi-Young Jeong,
Dae-Hee Park,
Min-Cheol Kim, Jinbong Park,
Dae-Seung Kim,
Yong-Deok Jeon,
Su-Jin Kim,
Kwang Seok Ahn,
Sung-Hoon Kim,
Jong-Hyun Lee,
Hyun-Ju Jung,
Seung-Heon Hong,
Jae-Young Um
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ABSTRACT: Abstract Background and objectives: Saengmaeksan (SMS) is a Korean herbal prescription consisting of three different herbal drugs: Liriopis Tuber (tuber of Liriope platyphylla, Liliaceae), Ginseng Radix (root of Panax ginseng) and Schisandrae Fructus (fruit of Schisandra chinensis). SMS is commonly used in Korea to treat various diseases that involve the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. However, to date, the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of SMS is not clearly understood. In this study, we attempt to determine the effects of SMS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Methods: Cell viability was measured by using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured by using Griess reagent. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels secreted by the cells were measured using a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), respectively was investigated using a western blot analysis. A caspase colorimetric assay kit was used to assay enzymatic caspase-1 activity. Results: The findings of this study showed that SMS reduced TNF-α and IL-6 production induced by LPS. During the inflammatory process, COX-2 and NO levels were increased in mouse peritoneal macrophages, but SMS decreased the enhanced levels of COX-2 and the production of NO. In addition, SMS suppressed the activation of NF-κB and receptor interacting protein-2/caspase-1. Discussion and conclusion: Our results provide novel insights into the pharmacological actions of SMS, a molecule that can potentially be exploited in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology 01/2013; · 1.83 Impact Factor
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Jae-Young Um,
Chul-Ho Jang,
Hye-Lin Kim,
Young-Bum Cho, Jinbong Park,
Seung Joo Lee,
Yoon Bum Kim,
Hyun-Ju Kim,
Kwang Seok Ahn,
Hyeung-Jin Jang,
Seok-Geun Lee,
Hyejung Lee,
Kang-Min Lee,
Su-Jin Kim,
Seung-Heon Hong
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ABSTRACT: The cause and pathogenesis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) remain unknown. IL-1β is one of the most powerful inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) gene polymorphisms (-511 C/T and +3953 C/T) in patients with SSNHL. One hundred two patients affected by SSNHL and 595 controls were genotyped for IL-1β gene polymorphisms. The polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and DNA fragment separation via electrophoresis. Compared to controls, the IL-1β (+3953) T allele increased the relative risk of SSNHL in subjects with IL-1β (-511) TT genotype (p = 0.022, OR = 9.111, 95% CI = 1.441-57.618). In this study, polymorphisms in the IL-1β -511 and IL-1β +3953 loci were assessed for evidence of association with SSNHL. From this assessment, a significant difference in carriage of both the IL-1β -511 T allele and the IL-1β +3953 T allele was observed between SSNHL and controls. This suggests that the IL-1β -511 and +3953 loci may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of SSNHL.
Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology 09/2012; · 1.83 Impact Factor
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Min-Cheol Kim,
Dae-Seung Kim,
Su-Jin Kim, Jinbong Park,
Hye-Lin Kim,
Seon-Young Kim,
Kwang Seok Ahn,
Hyeung-Jin Jang,
Seok-Geun Lee,
Kang-Min Lee,
Seung-Heon Hong,
Jae-Young Um
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ABSTRACT: Eucommiae cortex (EC) is used in various traditional Korean medicines in the form of tonics, analgesics, and sedatives. However, the underlying mechanism of its anti-inflammatory effect remains unclear. This study attempts to determine the effects of EC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The findings of the study show that EC inhibits the LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Exposure to EC also reduces an inflammation-induced increase in the levels of cyclooxigenase-2 and the production of prostaglandin E(2) and nitric oxide in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, EC suppresses the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and caspase-1. These results provide novel insights into the pharmacological action of EC and indicate that EC has a potential in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 01/2012; 40(1):135-49. · 1.98 Impact Factor
