Yun-Jum Park

Inhibition of immediate-type allergic reaction by Rosa davurica Pall. in a murine model.

We studied the effect of Rosa davurica Pall. (Rosaceae) fruits (RdF) on immediate-type allergic reactions. RdF completely inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock at the dose of 1 g/kg. When RdF was given as pretreatment, at concentrations ranging from 0.0001 to 1 g/kg, the serum histamine levels induced by compound 48/80 were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. RdF inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE antibody dose dependently. RdF also inhibited the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC). Moreover, RdF had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from RPMC. These results indicate that RdF may contain compounds with actions that inhibit mast cell degranulation in the rat.

The influence of raw and processed garlic and onions on plasma classical and non-classical atherosclerosis indices: investigations in vitro and in vivo.

Garlic and white and red varieties of onion were subjected to processing by a variety of culinary methods, and bioactive compounds then determined. For in vivo studies, 84 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 14 diet groups, each of six rats, including two control groups (one with no supplementation and one with cholesterol supplementation only). During the 30‐day trial, the basal diets of the other 12 groups were supplemented with 1% cholesterol and raw or processed vegetables.

Fructus Ligustrum lucidi inhibits inflammatory mediator release through inhibition of nuclear factor‐κB in mouse peritoneal macrophages

Fructus Ligustrum lucidi (FLL) is a widely used herbal medicine for the treatment of a variety of pathologies. We have investigated the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of FLL in mouse peritoneal macrophages. FLL exerted an anti‐inflammatory action through inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The maximal inhibition rate of TNF‐α production by FLL (0.5 mg mL−1) was 60.88 + 0.30%. In the inflammatory process, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increased in peritoneal macrophages. FLL decreased the protein level of NO and PGE2 in LPS‐stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. In addition, FLL inhibited nuclear factor‐κB activation and IκB‐α degradation by the decrease in IκB‐α phosphorylation. Our study suggested that FLL reduced inflammation via an important molecular mechanism, which might explain its beneficial effect in the regulation of inflammatory reactions.

Antioxidant and binding properties of methanol extracts from indigo plant leaves

This study was conducted to clarify the effect of ultra-pressure treatment on the extraction of bioactive compounds from indigo plant leaves (Polygonum tinctorium Lour.) and on their properties. Leaves were harvested the in mid-August, 2013, from Naju City (Korea), and treated using two methods: ultra-pressure (550 MPa, 3 min) and hot-air (70°C, 24 h). Then, the leaves were ultrasonically extracted with methanol. The content of indirubin in leaves treated with ultra pressure and hot air was (535.55 ± 26.14) mg kg−1 and (52.63 ± 6.45) mg kg−1, respectively, and that of tryptanthrin was (165.55 ± 8.74) mg kg−1 and (153.00 ± 7.62) mg kg−1, respectively. Polyphenolic content in the leaves extract was (127.24 ± 13.67) mg kg−1 after the ultrapressure and (88.22 ± 5.33) mg kg−1 after the hot-air treatment. The content of flavonoids was (2298.67 ± 83.27) mg kg−1 after the ultra-pressure and (3224.00 ± 21.45) mg kg−1 after the hotair treatment. Di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of the indigo extract obtained by ultra-pressure and hot-air treatment methods at the concentration of 1 mg mL−1 were (80.25 ± 0.73) % and (66.54 ± 2.35) %, respectively, and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities were estimated as (90.14 ± 0.79) % and (64.45 ± 8.97) %, respectively. The methanol leaf extract after ultra-pressure treatment exhibited higher binding properties to human serum albumin in comparison with catechin and conventional treatments. Consequently, it was assumed that the ultra-pressure treatment is an effective method for the extraction of bioactive compounds from indigo leaves.

Samsoeum inhibits systemic anaphylaxis and release of histamine, cytokine in vivo and in vitro

SUMMARY Samsoeum (SSE) is used in traditional oriental medicine for various medicinal purposes. However,the exact mechanism that accounts for the anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects of the SSE isstill not fully understood. The aim of the present study is to elucidate whether and how SSEmodulates the allergic reactions in vivo, and inflammatory reaction in vitro. In this study, weshowed that SSE significantly decreased compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis, ear-swelling response, histamine release from preparation of rat peritoneal mast cells and anti-dinitropheny IgE-induced passive cutaneous reaction. Also, SSE inhibited the expression ofinflammatory cytokine and cyclooxygenase-2 in PMA plus A23187-stimulated human mast cells(HMC-1). In addition, we showed that anti-inflammatory mechanism of SSE is throughsuppression of nuclear factor-κB activation and IκB-α phosphorylation/degradation in HMC-1.These results provided new insight into the pharmacological actions of SSE as a potentialmolecule for therapy of inflammatory allergic diseases.Key words: Samsoeum; Allergic reactions; Inflammation; Cyclooxygenase-2; Nuclear factor-κB

The improving effects of Saengmaeksan on ulcerative colitis

Saengmaeksan (SMS) is a well known Korean traditional herbal prescription, which consists of 3 different herbs, Radix Ophiopogonis, Radix Ginseng, and Fructus Schisandrae. SMS has been commonly used in various disease including respiratory system and cardiovascular System in Korea. The objective of this study is to find out the improving effects of SMS against Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis. SMS reduced clinical signs of DSS-induced colitis, including body weight loss, shorten colon length, and increased disease activity index. The results showed that SMS significantly inhibited the activation of nuclear factor- p65 in the colon tissues of DSS-treated mice. In addition, we observed that result showed that the levels of IL-6 in plasma were increased in DSS treated group compared to those of the normal group, but these increased levels were reduced by administration with SMS. Taken together, these findings suggest that SMS has improving effects on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis, which may explain its beneficial effect in the regulation of chronic intestinal inflammation.

Mori Folium regulates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice and cytokine production in mast cells

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by detrimental immune reactivity in the gut, and the imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactivity. The incidence and prevalence rates of IBD in Korea have been increasing rapidly during the past decades. In this study, we investigated regulatory effect of leaf of a mulberry tree (Moraceae) called Gwasang-No.2 in Korea. Leaf of Gwasang-No.2 (Gwa.L) inhibited the inflammatory responses on dextran sulfate sodium induced ulcerative colitis in mice and the production of nitrite oxide from lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Gwa.L inhibited IL-6 and IL-8 production from HMC-1 cells without cytotoxic effects on cell viability. These results may be relevant for future pharmacological or dietary interventions in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Cheongilppong on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by detrimental immune reactivity in the gut, and the imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactivity. The incidence and prevalence rates of IBD in Korea have been increasing rapidly during the past decades. In this study, we tried to find the new effect of fruits and branches of mulberry tree called Cheongilppong in Korea (belongs to Morus alba, Moraceae). The previous studies revealed mulberry fruits and branches had anti-oxidative effect and anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, the fruits and branch of Cheongilppong inhibited the inflammatory responses on dextran sulfate sodium induced ulcerative colitis in mice and the production of nitrite oxide from lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. These results may be relevant for future pharmacological or dietary interventions in patients with ulcerative colitis.