Yeji Kim

Extracts of Scutellariae Radix inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidation and the lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage inflammatory response

Traditional herbal formulas made from Scutellariae Radix (SR), the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, have previously been used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of SR on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and inflammation in macrophages, which are early events in the development of atherosclerosis. High-performance liquid chromatography photo-diode array analysis was used to obtain a three-dimensional chromatogram of SR. The antioxidative effects of SR were evaluated by determining its scavenging activities against ABTS and DPPH radicals. The inhibitory effect of SR on LDL oxidation was examined using a thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance assay and a relative electrophoretic mobility assay. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effects of SR were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. The results showed that SR exhibited radical-scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner; in addition, SR attenuated the Cu2+-induced oxidation of LDL as well as significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, SR induced the protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that SR decreased the oxidation of LDL and suppressed inflammatory responses in macrophages, which occurred at least in part via the induction of HO‑1. These results therefore suggested that SR may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Anti-atherosclerotic Effects of Herbal Formulas for Sasang Constitutional Medicine

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of 4 herbal formulas for Sasang constitutional medicine (Yeoldahanso-tang: YDHST, Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang: YGSHT, Cheongsimyeonja-tang: CSYJT and Taeeumjowi-tang: TEJWT). Methods : The antioxidant activities of herbal formulas were studied by measuring free radical scavenging activities on ABTS and DPPH. The inhibitory effects on LDL oxidation was evaluated by the formation of TBARS, REM and fragmentation of apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB). Effects of herbal formulas on macrophage lipid accumulation were determined in native LDL and LPS co-incubated macrophages using Oil Red O staining. Results : The scavenging activities on ABTS and DPPH of herbal formulas were increased in dose-dependent manner (YDHST>YGSHT>CSYJT>TEJWT). Herbal formulas reduced the oxidation properties of LDL induced by . YDHST, YGSHT and CSYJT showed strong suppressive effect on LDL oxidation than TEJWT. In addition, YDHST, YGSHT and CSYJT significantly inhibited foam cell formation in LDL/LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that YDHST, YGSHT and CSYJT have potentials on anti-atherosclerosis by antioxidative effect and suppressive effect on LDL oxidation.

Traditional Herbal Formula Banhasasim-tang Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in RAW 264.7 Macrophages and HaCaT Keratinocytes

Banhasasim-tang (BHSST) is a Korean traditional herbal formula comprising eight medicinal herbs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of BHSST using macrophage and keratinocyte cell lines. First, we evaluated the effects of BHSST on inflammatory mediator and cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. BHSST markedly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin- (IL-) 6. BHSST significantly suppressed the protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in RAW 264.7 cells. Second, we examined whether BHSST influences the production of chemokines and STAT1 phosphorylation in tumor necrosis factor-α/interferon-γ TI-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. BHSST significantly suppressed the production of RANTES/CCL5, TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and IL-8 in TI-stimulated HaCaT cells. BHSST also suppressed TI-induced phosphorylation of STAT1 in HaCaT cells. These results suggest that BHSST may be useful as an anti-inflammatory agent, especially for inflammatory skin diseases.

Quantification Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Leejung-tang

ABSTRACT Objectives : Leejung-tang (Lizhong-tang) has been used for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Korea. In this study, we performed quantification analysis of five marker components, liquiritin, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1, glycyrrhizin, and 6-gingerol in Leejung-tang using a ultra performance liquid chromatography- electrospray ionization-mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-MS). In addition, we evaluated antioxidant activity of Leejung- tang. Methods : The column for separation of five constituents used a UPLC BEH C18 (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) maintained at 45°C. The mobile phase consisted of two solvent systems, 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in H2O (A) and CH3CN (B) by gradient flow. The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min with detection at mass spectrometer. The antioxidative activities conduct an experiment on 2,2＇-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of Leejung-tang. Results : Calibration curves of five marker compounds were acquired with r2 values > 0.99. The amount of the five compounds in Leejung-tang were 0.07 – 0.84 mg/g. The concentration required for 50% reduction (RC50) against ABTS radical was 119.02 ug/mL. In addition, the scavenging against DPPH radical of Leejung-tang was 11.4%, 14.5%, 19.8%, 29.6%, and 49.2% at 25 ug/mL, 50 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 200 μg/mL, and 400 μg/mL, respectively.