Hye-Young Shin

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Inhibits Secretion of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 through the Attenuation of ERK and NF-κB in HMC-1 Cells

Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major form of tea catechin and has a variety of biological activities. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EGCG on the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as its possible mechanism of action by using the human mast cell line (HMC-1). Methods: EGCG was treated before the activation of HMC-1 cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore (A23187). To investigate the effect of EGCG on PMA+A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells, ELISA, Western blot analysis, electrophorectic mobility shift assay and luciferase assay were used in this study. Results: EGCG (100 µM) inhibited PMA+A23187-induced TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 expression and production. EGCG inhibited the intracellular Ca2+ level. EGCG attenuated PMA+A23187-induced NF-ĸB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation, but not that of c-Jun N-terminal kinase or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Conclusion: EGCG inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 through the inhibition of the intracellular Ca2+ level, and of ERK1/2 and NF-ĸB activation. These results indicate that EGCG may be helpful in regulating mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammatory response.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Korean folk medicine purple bamboo salt.

Abstract Purple bamboo salt is a specially processed salt according to the traditional recipe using normal salt and bamboo. It has been used for the purpose of prevention and treatment of various diseases in Korea. We investigated the anti‐inflammatory activity of purple bamboo salt by using human mast cell line (HMC‐1). Purple bamboo salt (1 mg/mL) inhibited phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187‐stimulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 secretion, by 67.04% ± 0.08%, 68.01% ± 1.85%, and 69.48% ± 0.54%, respectively. In addition, the expression of TNF‐α mRNA in HMC‐1 cells was inhibited by purple bamboo salt under the same condition. When NaCl (1 mg/mL) was added, the secretion of TNF‐α and IL‐6 was also inhibited but the effect was markedly lower than purple bamboo salt. Our results suggest that purple bamboo salt importantly contributes to the prevention or treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Effect of Bojungikki‐tang on Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Cytokine Production from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients

Abstract Bojungikki‐tang (BIT) has been widely used to treat patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). However, its effect has not been yet investigated experimentally. Based upon the clinical presentation of CFS, we hypothesized that cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. We studied the effect of BIT on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced various cytokines production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of CFS patients. Bojungikki‐tang (1 mg/mL) significantly inhibited LPS‐induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 production by 63.55% ± 0.19%, 55.06% ± 0.27%, 48.23% ± 0.48%, 54.09% ± 0.76%, respectively (P < 0.05). Bojungikki‐tang showed a slightly lower inhibitory effect of LPS‐induced Interferon (IFN)‐γ production. These results suggest that BIT may be useful in treating fatigue associated with chronic diseases.

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.

Inhibitory Effect of Inflammatory Cytokines Production from Activated Mast Cells by Gamisopoonghwanghyul‐Tang

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease and its exact cause and pathophysiological process remain unclear. Because the mast cell contains potent mediators, including multifunctional cytokines, its potential contributions to the processes of inflammation and matrix degradation have recently become evident. Gamisopoonghwanghyul‐tang (GSPHHT) has been used as a traditional Korean medicine for the treatment of RA. In this study, we investigated the effect of Gamisopoonghwanghyul‐tang (GSPHHT) on the production of inflammatory cytokines by activated human mast cell line HMC‐1 cells. When GSPHHT (1 mg/mL) was added, the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10 was inhibited by 36.3%, 36.3%, 30.8%, 48.7% respectively in phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187‐stimulated HMC‐1 cells. However, the production of IL‐4 was significantly increased at 0.01 mg/mL. GSPHHT had no effect on TNF‐α mRNA expression. These results suggest that GSPHHT regulates production of inflammatory cytokines from activated mast cells.

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.

High-resolution XRD analysis and device characteristics of InAs/GaSb strained-layer superlattice photodetector

Type-II InAs/GaSb (8/8-ML) strained-layer superlattice (SLS) were grown, and analyzed by high-resolution x-ray diffraction (XRD). The satellite peaks of XRD show a strain transition from compressive to tensile. The responsivity of discrete SLS photodetectors (P=150) shows a cutoff wavelength of ≈5 μm, and the temperature dependence gives an activation energy of 275 meV corresponding to the transition energy of HH1-CB.