Da-Eun Nam

Pycnogenol attenuates the symptoms of immune dysfunction through restoring a cellular antioxidant status in low micronutrient-induced immune deficient mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES We investigated the effect of Pycnogenol (Pyc) on survival and immune dysfunction of C57BL/6 mice induced by low micronutrient supplementation. MATERIALS/METHODS Female C57/BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing 7.5% of the recommended amount of micronutrients for a period of 12 wks (immunological assay) and 18 wks (survival test). For immunological assay, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine regulation, and hepatic oxidative status were determined. RESLUTS Pyc supplementation with 50 and 100 mg·kg-1·bw·d-1 resulted in partial extension of the median survival time. Pyc supplementation led to increased T and B cell response against mitogens and recovery of an abnormal shift of cytokine pattern designated by the decreased secretion of Th1 cytokine and increased secretion of Th2 cytokine. Hepatic vitamin E level was significantly decreased by micronutrient deficiency, in accordance with increased hepatic lipid peroxidation level. However, Pyc supplementation resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of hepatic lipid peroxidation, which may result from restoration of hepatic vitamin E level. CONCLUSION Findings of this study suggest that Pyc supplementation ameliorates premature death by restoring immune dysfunction, such as increasing lymphocyte proliferation and regulation of cytokine release from helper T cells, which may result from the antioxidative ability of Pyc.

Cudrania tricuspidata water extract improved obesity-induced hepatic insulin resistance in db/db mice by suppressing ER stress and inflammation

Background Obesity can play a role in the development of hepatic insulin resistance. Although the molecular mechanism of the association between obesity and hepatic insulin resistance is unclear, it has been reported that obesity leads to hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation, which can induce the development of insulin resistance in several tissues. Objective In this study, we investigated the associations between hepatic insulin resistance, ER, and inflammation in obesity and the effect of water extract from Cudrania tricuspidata leaves (CTL) on hepatic insulin resistance induced by ER stress and inflammation in db/db mice. Design The mice were randomly divided into four groups: a normal control group (C57BL/6J), a control group (C57BL/6J-db/db), a CTL 100 group (C57BL/6J-db/db mice fed a dietary supplement of 100 mg/kg of CTL), and a CTL 300 group (C57BL/6J-db/db mice fed a dietary supplement of 300 mg/kg of CTL). After 8 weeks, we performed an oral glucose tolerance test and the mice were sacrificed. Results The C57BL/6J-db/db mice developed obesity and hyperglycemia, and the ER stress response and inflammation were activated in their livers. Interestingly, there was a marked decrease in the activation of the ER stress response and insulin resistance in the livers of the C57BL/6J-db/db mice treated with CTL due to decreases in the phosphorylation of eIF2α, IRE1α, and IRS-1 serine and decreases in the mRNA expression of ATF4, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, C/EBPα, and C/EBP homologous protein. Dietary supplementation with CTL also induced a statistically significant decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), and NF-κB phosphorylation. Conclusions Overall, these results suggest that CTL can improve hepatic insulin resistance and hyperglycemia by controlling obesity-induced ER stress and inflammation in the liver and that CTL may be a useful agent in treating hyperglycemia.

Anti-wrinkle Activity of a Curdrania tricuspidata Extract on Ultraviolet-induced Photoaging

We investigated the anti-wrinkle activity of an 80% ethanol extract of Curdrania tricuspidata leaves (CTL80) on ultraviolet-induced photoaging in hairless mice. Skin wrinkles were induced by 10 weeks of UVB-irradiation on the back of Skh-1 hairless mice three times a week. Mice were divided into ten groups; normal control (-UVB), UVB irradiated control group (+UVB), dietary groups (UVB+ascorbic acid 0.1%, UVB+CTL80 0.1%, UVB+CTL80 0.25%) and topical application groups (-UVB+base lotion (BL), UVB+BL, UVB+ascorbic acid 1%+BL, UVB+CTL80 1%+BL, UVB+CTL80 2%+BL). Wrinkle formation, histological changes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9) were analyzed. Wrinkles for the +UVB groups formed as a pattern of deep furrows and thick crests. Wrinkles with CTL80 treatment formed as a pattern of shallow furrows and thin crests, with wrinkle areas were lower than the +UVB group. In an antioxidant analysis of mouse blood, SOD and GSH-Px activities were significantly higher in the CTL80 topical application group compared to the +UVB group. The mRNA expression of MMPs in the +UVB group was significantly higher than the normal control group, and significantly lower in the CTL80-treated group. In conclusion, CTL80 exerted anti-wrinkle activity on ultraviolet-induced photoaging by regulating antioxidative defense systems and MMPs expression.

Effect of Canavalia gladiata Extract Fermented with Aspergillus oryzae on the Development of Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice

Canavalia gladiata has been used as a Chinese traditional folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the use of C. gladiata is limited because it contains antinutritional and allergy-causing proteins. We fermented C. gladiata with Aspergillus oryzae and investigated the effects of fermented C. gladiata (FCG) on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. The mice were divided into five groups: untreated Balb/c mice; AD control (NC/Nga mice); FCGH (NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 300 mg/kg fermented C. gladiata water extract); FCG30 (NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 300 mg/kg of fermented C. gladiata 30% ethanol extract), and FCG80 (NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 300 mg/kg of fermented C. gladiata 80% ethanol extract). We found increases in the nonessential amino acids and essential amino acid in the FCG compared with the non-FCG. FCG attenuated macroscopic and histopathological changes in dorsal skin of mice when compared with the AD control group. The FCG30 and FCG80 groups, in particular, showed significant decreases in scratching episodes when compared with the AD control group. FCG improved immune responses, including increases in IgE and histamine for AD, through attenuation of Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance and the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We suggest that FCG may have benefits for improvement of AD function by improving the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines and by producing anti-inflammatory effects.

Pycnogenol Supplementation Promotes Lipolysis via Activation of cAMP-Dependent PKA in ob/ob Mice and Primary-Cultured Adipocytes

This study investigated the PKA-dependent inhibitory effect of pycnogenol (Pyc) on lipolysis using ob/ob mice and primary mouse adipocytes. Supplementation of Pyc at 30 mg/kg significantly reduced body weight gain and visceral fat mass. The serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were reduced by Pyc supplementation, and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level significantly increased. In addition, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) mRNA levels increased with Pyc supplementation in adipose tissue of ob/ob mice. The treatment of primary cultured adipocytes with Pyc at 100 μg/mL significantly increased glycerol release, cAMP level by reduction of phosphodiestersae-3B (PDE3B), and HSL levels, but decreased protein levels of perilipin A and fatty acid synthetase (FAS). The PKA inhibitor (H89) clearly blocked the cellular levels of perilipin A and HSL, suggesting that Pyc promotes lipolysis of adipocytes through activation of cAMP-dependent PKA, resulting in induction of HSL and reduction of perilipin A. Therefore, this study may elucidate the possible mechanism of Pyc, which is a candidate for weight loss through stimulation of lipolysis.

Protective Effect of Canavalia gladiata on Gastric Inflammation Induced by Alcohol Treatment in Rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of extracts from Canavalia gladiata (CGE) on gastric inflammation induced by alcohol treatment in SD rats. Rats were divided into four groups: G1 (normal group), G2 (gastric inflammation induced by alcohol), G3 (gastric inflammation induced by alcohol with lansoprazole pretreatment), G4 (gastric inflammation induced by alcohol with 250 mg/kg b.w. CGE pretreatment), G5 (gastric inflammation induced by alcohol with 500 mg/kg b.w. CGE pretreatment). After the oral administration of 40% alcohol and samples for seven days, acute gastritis was induced with 70% alcohol and 0.15 M HCl. After 1 h of alcohol administration, the animals were sacrificed. Groups pretreated with lansoprazole or CGE showed an attenuation of gastric mucosal injury, including decreases in sub-epithelial loss, hemorrhages, and gastric juice secretion induced by administration of alcohol. The oral administration of CGE (500 mg/kg b.w.) significantly decreased the levels of TBARS. To examine molecular factors that regulate inflammation, the protein expression of NF- and COX-2 were measured through immuno-histochemistry. Compared with the normal group (G1), the expression of NF- and COX-2 were clearly increased in G2. COX-2 and NF- were expressed even higher in groups pretreated with CGE compared to G2. In conclusion, our data show that Canavalia gladiata has inhibitory and protective effects on gastric inflammation induced by alcohol treatment in SD rats.

Effects of Standardized Eriobotrya japonica Extract in LP-BM5 Murine Leukemia Viruses-Induced Murine Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

ABSTRACT Folk medicine has long employed leaves from Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. (Rosaceae) (LEJ) as relieving many diseases including chronic bronchitis and high fever. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of leaves from LEJ water extracts (LEJE) in LP-BM5 murine leukemia viruses (MuLV)-induced immune-deficient animal model. Dietary supplementation of LEJE (100, 300, 500 mg/kg) began on the day of LP-BM5 MuLV infection and continued for 12 weeks. Dietary supplementation of LEJE inhibited LP-BM5 MuLV-induced splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Moreover, LEJE attenuated reductions of T- and B-cell proliferation and Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance in LP-BM5. We found that dietary supplements of LEJE suppressed the hypergammaglobulinemia by ameliorating LP-BM5 MuLV infection-induced B-cell dysfunction and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We suggest that Eriobotrya japonica may have beneficial immunomodulatory effects, improving the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines and anti-inflammatory effects.