Bina Lee

Antiallergic effects of peiminine through the regulation of inflammatory mediators in HMC-1 cells.

Abstract Peiminine is the main biologically active component derived from Fritillaria ussuriensis. Peiminine was investigated in various pulmonary diseases, but its antiallergic effect and the related mechanism have not been reported yet. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of peiminine on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in HMC-1 cells. The pro-inflammatory cytokine production was measured using ELISA, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway activation, as determined by Western blot analysis. Peiminine inhibits the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IL-1beta (IL-1β). It was shown to have inhibitory effects on MAPKs phosphorylation and NF-B expression in human mast cells (HMC)-1 using Western blot. HMC-1 cells were observed for confirmation of histamine release. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions were evaluated using an animal model and peiminine demonstrated inhibitory effects on IgE-dependent anaphylaxis. These results suggest that peiminine has regulatory potential for allergic inflammatory reactions mediated by HMC-1 cells.

Effect of peiminine on DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine expression in vivo and in vitro

&NA; Peiminine (PMN) is the main component derived from Fritillaria ussuriensis and is used in traditional medicine in East Asia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PMN on atopic dermatitis (AD) induced by a dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in Balb/c mice. Inflammatory cytokine expression of PMN was investigated in vitro. Eosinophil infiltration and the thickness of DNCB‐induced AD mouse skin were measured. The levels of IgE, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐13, and TNF‐&agr; in the serum were measured by ELISA. The effects of PMN on the transcription level of MAPK and nuclear factor (NF)‐&kgr;B were evaluated in mouse skin. In addition, the inhibitory effect of TNF‐&agr;, IL‐1&bgr;, COX‐2 and PGE2 were measured in RAW264.7 cells; TARC was investigated in HaCaT cells; and &bgr;‐hexosaminidase was examined in RBL‐2H3 cells. PMN decreased the number of eosinophils in the dermis as well as mast cells and decreased the thickness of the epidermis and dermis. The PMN High group had a significantly reduced serum level of IgE, IL‐4, IL‐13 and TNF‐&agr;. Moreover, P‐ERK and P‐P38 were inhibited in the PMN High group compared with the DNCB‐treated group. PMN additionally attenuated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in cells, including RAW264.7, HaCaT and RBL‐2H3 cells. Our results suggest that PMN could be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of AD.

Xanthii Fructus inhibits allergic response in the ovalbumin-sensitized mouse allergic rhinitis model.

Background: Xanthii Fructus (XF) is widely used in traditional anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory Asian medicine. Allergic rhinitis is a common inflammatory disease characterized by markedly increased levels of anti-inflammatory factors and the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the nasal mucosa. We investigated the effects of XF in the allergen-induced rhinitis model. Materials and Methods: Following ovalbumin (OVA)/alum intraperitoneal injection on days 0, 7 and 14, the BALB/c mice (albino, laboratory-bred strain of the house mice) were challenged intranasally with OVA for 10 days a week after the last sensitization. The number of sneezes was recorded for 10 days; additionally, the levels of cytokines, histamine, immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-specific serum IgE were estimated. Eosinophil infiltration, thickness of nasal mucosa and expression of caspase-1 were determined by immunohistochemistry. We also evaluated the effect of XF on the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) in human mast cell-1 (HMC-1), by Western blotting. Results: The administration of XF significantly decreased sneezing and the serum levels of histamine, IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukine-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-5, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2). XF inhibited the changes in thickness of the nasal septum, influx of eosinophils and expression of capase-1. In addition, XF inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB-α and NF-κB in phorbol-myristate-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) stimulated HMC-1. Conclusion: This study suggests that XF acts a potent anti-allergic drug which alleviates the allergic responses in ovalbumin-sensitized mouse allergic rhinitis model.

Effects of Laser Acupuncture on Longitudinal Bone Growth in Adolescent Rats

Longitudinal bone growth is the results of chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy and subsequent endochondral ossification in the growth plate. Recently, laser acupuncture (LA), an intervention to stimulate acupoint with low-level laser irradiation, has been suggested as an intervention to improve the longitudinal bone growth. This study investigated the effects of laser acupuncture on growth, particularly longitudinal bone growth in adolescent male rats. Laser acupuncture was performed once every other day for a total of 9 treatments over 18 days to adolescent male rats. Morphometry of the growth plate, longitudinal bone growth rate, and the protein expression of BMP-2 and IGF-1 in growth plate were observed. The bone growth rate and the heights of growth plates were significantly increased by laser acupuncture. BMP-2 but not IGF-1 immunostaining in growth plate was increased as well. In conclusion, LA promotes longitudinal bone growth in adolescent rats, suggesting that laser acupuncture may be a promising intervention for improving the growth potential for children and adolescents.

Peimine inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines through regulation of the phosphorylation of NF-κB and MAPKs in HMC-1 Cells

Background: Peimine is a major biologically active component of Fritillaria ussuriensis. Peimine was investigated in chronic inflammation response, but it has not been studied in mast cell-related immediate allergic reaction. The present study aimed to evaluate anti-allergic effect of peimine in human mast cell (HMC-1). Materials and Methods: The effect of peimine on cell viability was measured by MTS assay in HMC-1. Histamine release was investigated in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expressions were measured by ELISA assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) were examined by Western blot. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions were evaluated using Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Results: Peimine inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Moreover, peimine reduced MAPKs phosphorylation and the nuclear NF-κB expression in PMACI-induced HMC-1. Peimine decreased PCA reactions in rats as well. Conclusion: Our study proved that peimine might be suitable for the treatment of mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory reactions. Abbreviations used: HMC-1: Human mast cell, MTS: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, RPMCs: Rat peritoneal mast cells. IL-6: Interleukin 6, IL-8: Interleukin 8, TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α, MAPKs: Mitogen-activated protein kinases; NF-κB: Nuclear factor-kappaB, PCA: Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions, SD: Sprague-Dawley.

Cyperus Rotundus L. extract suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through NFATc1/c-fos downregulation and prevent bone loss in OVX-induced osteoporosis rat

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cyperus Rotundus L. (CyR) has been widely used for the treatment of gynecologic disorder. Recent studies have reported that CyR can prevent the formation of cystic follicles and ovarian malfunction. However, the effects of CyR on osteoclastogenesis and postmenopausal osteoporosis remain unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was aimed to investigate the preventive effects of CyR on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this in vitro study, we investigate the anti-osteoporotic effect of CyR on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis, the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) multinucleated cells, pit formation, transcription factors such as NFATc1 and c-Fos, and mRNA expression of osteoclast-associated genes were investigated. Forty 12-weeks female Sprague-Dawley rats for in vivo effect of CyR were used and OVX rat model was determined. The rats were randomly assigned into sham group and four OVX groups, i.e. OVX with D.W; OVX with estradiol (E2, 100μg/kg/day), OVX with CyR-L (16mg/kg/day), OVX with CyR-H (160mg/kg/day). The treatment lasted for 8weeks. RESULTS CyR inhibited osteoclast differentiation and pit formation in the RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW 264.7 cells. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis also showed that CyR reduced the mRNA expression of osteoclast-associated genes such as carbonic anhydrase II, TRAP, RANK, cathepsin K, matrix metalloproteinase 9, nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), and c-Fos. In addition, CyR decreased protein levels of NFATc1 and c-Fos. CyR inhibited trabecular bone loss in the femur caused by OVX. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that CyR inhibits the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in RAW 264.7 cells and trabecular bone loss in OVX rats.

Antiallergic effect of gami-hyunggyeyeongyotang on ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mouse and human mast cells.

Background Gami‐hyunggyeyeongyotang (GMHGYGT) is a polyherbal medicine derived from an oriental prescription traditionally used in the treatment of allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis (AR). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GMHGYGT on ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization/challenge‐induced AR in BALB/C mice, through examination of allergic inflammatory response regulation, as well as examination of human mast cells (HMC‐1). Methods Nasal symptoms were evaluated in the OVA‐induced allergic rhinitis mouse model, and total immunoglobulin (Ig)E and OVA‐specific IgE levels in serum were investigated. Eosinophil infiltration and thickness of the nasal mucosa, and levels of interleukin (IL)‐1&bgr; and caspase‐1 were also measured by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the effect of GMHGYGT on the phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187‐induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, C‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and p38 in HMC‐1 cells was investigated. Results GMHGYGT was demonstrated to have antiallergic effects on the nasal symptoms of the OVA‐induced mouse model, decreasing serum levels of OVA‐specific IgE and levels of the cytokines IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐1&bgr;, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1, and macrophage inflammatory protein‐2. GMHGYGT reduced the number of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa and thickness of the nasal septum, and inhibited the expression of IL‐1&bgr; and caspase‐1. Moreover, it inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and C‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, as well as the activation of nuclear factor‐&kgr;B on protein level in HMC‐1 cells. Conclusion These results suggest that GMHGYGT has therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.