Ho-Jeong Na

Molecular discrimination of medicinal Astragali radix by RAPD analysis.

The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis has been applied for estimating genetic diversity in plant populations or cultivars. To discriminate geographical origin among Astragali radix populations, RAPD analysis was carried out using 20 mer‐random primers. The similarity coefficient between the DNA of Astragali radix plants analyzed was 0.527. Although the coefficients of similarity were high, primer 7, 8 and 10 gave distinguishable bands between Korean and Chinese Astragali radix. We obtained the specific RAPD markers to discriminate between Korean and Chinese Astragali radix at a DNA level. These results suggest that this method is able to discriminate the concerned Astragali radix geographical origin species. Also, this is the first report on the genetic diversity in geographical origin among Astragali radix populations using RAPD analysis. Broader application of this approach to authenticate other morphologically similar medicinal materials is rationalized.

Decrease of immobility behavior in forced-swimming test and immune system enhancing effect of traditional medicine Gamisipjundaebo-tang

Gamisipjundaebo-tang (GSDBT) has been used for the purpose of development of physical strength. In the present study, we investigated the immune enhancing effect induced by GSDBT. We investigated the anti-immobility effect of GSDBT via a forced-swimming test and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, lactic dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and total protein. GSDBT (0.1 and 1 g/kg) was orally administered to mice for 14 days. After 7 and 14 days, as assessed through a forced-swimming test, immobility time was decreased in the GSDBT-administrated group (0.1 and 1 g/kg) in comparison with the control group. In addition, after 8 days, the contents of glucose and lactate dehydrogenase in the blood serum were increased, and contents of blood urea nitrogen were decreased in the GSDBT-administrated group. After 15 days, the contents of glucose were increased, and the contents of lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen were decreased in the GSDBT-administrated group. However, it had no effect on the elevation of creatine kinase and total protein level. We also investigated the effect of GSDBT on the production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells, and splenocytes. GSDBT significantly increased interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2 levels compared with the media control but did not affect IL-4. GSDBT increased the protein expression of IFN-gamma in MOLT-4 cells. These results suggest that GSDBT may be useful in immune function improvement and may also have antifatigue properties.

Effect of Poncirus fructus on stem cell factor-induced mast cell migration

Mast cell hyperplasia can be causally related with chronic inflammation. Stem cell factor (SCF), the ligand of the c-kit protooncogene product, is a major regulator and chemoattractant of mast cells. Poncirus fructus (PF) has been used against allergic diseases for generations in South Korea. PF (1 mg ml(-1)) significantly inhibited the SCF-induced migration of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). RPMCs exposed to SCF (50 ng ml(-1)) resulted in a drastic shape change with a polarized morphology while the cells exposed to PF (1 mg ml(-1)) remained resting, with little or no shape alteration. The drastic morphological alteration and distribution of polymerized actin were blocked by pretreatment with PF. In addition, PF inhibited both TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion from RPMCs stimulated with SCF. Our findings provide evidence that PF inhibits chemotactic response and inflammatory cytokines secretion to SCF in mast cells.

Libanoridin inhibits the mast cell-mediated allergic inflammatory reaction

Background and aim: Corydalis heterocarpa is a biennial herb in South Korea, with spikes of yellow flowers. It has been used for as a folk medicine to cure travail and spasm. However, studies on this herb and its secondary metabolites have rarely been reported. In the present study, we isolated secondary metabolite libanlibanoridin from Corydalis heterocarpa. We have also examined the effect of libanoridin on the inflammatory cytokines production in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore, A2318 stimulated human mast cell line, HMC-1. PMA plus A23187 significantly increased interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production compared to media control (Pu2009<u20090.05). Results: We report that treatment with libanlibanoridin can inhibit PMA plus A23187-induced IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α production in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 of 0.002, 1.38, 1.48, and 0.36u2009μg/ml, respectively. Maximal inhibition rates of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α production by libanlibanoridin were about 117.5%, 86.22%, 86.41%, and 90.74%, respectively. libanoridin inhibits the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. libanoridin also inhibits the expression of cyclooxygenase-2. Conclusion: These results indicate that libanlibanoridin may be helpful in regulating mast cell-mediated allergic inflammatory response.

Effect of Boo Yong-Tang on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction.

Boo Yong‐Tang (BYT) is an Oriental herbal prescription, which has been clinically applied for treatment of allergic disorders. Here, we report inhibitory effects of BYT on experimental allergic reactions. BYT increased interferon‐γ secretion from MOLT‐4 T cells. When BYT (0.01, 0.1, or 1 g/kg) was orally administered for 1 h in mice, compound 48/80‐induced ear swelling was significantly reduced. BYT also inhibited the histamine release from the mast cells activated by compound 48/80. In addition, BYT showed an inhibitory effect of anti‐dinitrophenyl IgE antibody‐induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction. These findings provide evidence that BYT is a potential prescription for the treatment of allergic reaction through down‐modulating of mast cell activation.

Inhibitory Effect of Yunbutang on Mast Cell‐Dependent Allergic Reactions

Yunbutang (YB) is an Oriental herbal prescription, which has been successfully applied for the treatment of allergic disorders, mainly atopic dermatitis in clinical medicine. However, its effect in experimental models remains unknown. Here, we report inhibitory effects of YB on mast cell‐dependent immediate‐type allergic reactions. YB inhibited systemic allergic reaction induced by compound 48/80. YB dose‐dependently inhibited the histamine release from the mast cells activated by compound 48/80. YB also showed an inhibitory effect of anti‐dinitrophenyl IgE antibody‐induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction by oral administration. Furthermore, YB inhibited tumor necrosis factor‐α secretion from stimulated mast cells. These findings provide evidence that YB inhibits the mast cell‐dependent allergic reactions

Regulatory effects of cytokine production in atopic allergic reaction by gammi-danguieumja.

Gammi-danguieumja (GD) is clinically used in South Korea for treating atopic dermatitis. However, its effects in experimental models remain unknown. We investigated a possible effect of GD on cytokines production using human T cell line (MOLT-4) or human mast cell line. As a result, GD (0.01 mg/mL)-containing medium in stimulated culture supernatants increased IL-2 and IFN-γ, and decreased IL-4 secretion in MOLT-4. GD (0.01–1 mg/mL)-containing medium in stimulated culture supernatants dose-dependently and significantly decreased IL-8, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion on the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and A23187-stimulated HMC-1. In addition, GD inhibited histamine release from activated mast cells. These results suggest that GD contributes to the regulation of atopic allergic reactions.