Ipomoea aquatic is a leafy vegetable of the Convolvulaceae family, and is a tropical plant widely inhabiting southern China and Southeast Asia, and is widely known as Morning Glory in the West. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of ethyl acetate extract from Ipomoea aquatic extracts (IAE) were tested against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation microglia BV2 cells. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and cell viability were measured using the Griess reagent and MTT assay, respectively. Inflammatory cytokine [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, and interleukin-1 (IL-1)] were detected qPCR in LPS induced BV-2 cells. Subsequently, nuclear factor (NF)-B, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were analyzed through western blot analyses and immunofluorescence. Ipomoea aquatic down-regulated of inflammatory markers and up-regulated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants in BV2 cells.

In this study, we investigated the effect of the extracts of Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm. (CFJ) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in mouse BV-2 microglial cells. Nitric oxide (NO) production and cell viability were measured using the Griess reagent and the (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) (MTT) assay. Inflammatory cytokines were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in BV-2 microglial cells with and without CFJ extracts. Subsequently, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and antioxidant markers were assessed by western blot analysis. It was found that the CFJ extract significantly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-, and IL-1) and NO in BV-2 microglial cells that were stimulated with LPS. In addition, the expression levels of the phosphorylation of the MAPK family (p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinases [JNK], and extracellularsignal regulated kinase [ERK]) were reduced by CFJ. Also, treatment with CFJ significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase type 1(SOD1) and Catalase in BV-2 microglial cells. Our results indicate that CFJ has a potent suppressive effect on the pro-inflammatory responses of activated BV-2 microglia. Therefore, CFJ has the potential to be an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, as it can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators in activated BV-2 microglial cells.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an endotoxin factor present in the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria and induces various immune responses to infection. Recent studies have reported that LPS induces cellular stress in various cells including oocytes and embryos. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a regulatory hormone of circadian rhythm and a powerful antioxidant. It has been known that melatonin has an effective function in scavenging oxygen free radicals and has been used as an antioxidant to reduce the cytotoxic effects induced by LPS. However, the effect of melatonin on LPS treated early embryonic development has not yet been confirmed. In this study, we cultured mouse embryos in medium supplemented with LPS or/and melatonin up to the blastocyst stage in vitro and then evaluated the developmental rate. As a result of the LPS-treatment, the rate of blastocyst development was significantly reduced compared to the control group in all the LPS groups. Next, in the melatonin only treated group, there was no statistical difference in embryonic development and no toxic effects were observed. And then we found that the treatment of melatonin improved the rates of compaction and blastocyst development of LPS-treated embryos. In addition, we showed that melatonin treatment decreased ROS levels compared to the LPS only treated group. In conclusion, we demonstrated the protective effect of melatonin on the embryonic developmental rate reduced by LPS. These results suggest a direction to improve reproduction loss that may occur due to LPS exposure and bacterial infection through the using of melatonin during in vitro culture.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the anti-inflammatory effect of Chung-Dae Indigo Pulverata Levis, indigo naturalis) produced during indigo dyeing. As a result of in vitro cytotoxicity experiments using RAW 264.7 cell, Chung-Dae extract did not inhibit cell proliferation in Raw 264.7 cells in the range of 1~32 μg/mL. NO production was significantly reduced when Chung-Dae extracts were treated at concentrations of 2, 8, and 32 μg/mL (p<0.05). The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IFN-γ significantly decreased when the Chung-Dae extract was treated at concentrations of 2, 8, and 32 μg/mL compared to the LPS group, and similarly, the TNFα and IL-6 mRNA levels also decreased. Additionally, the mRNA level of COX-2 was also suppressed. At the protein expression level, the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2 were observed with LPS and Chung-Dae extract significantly decreased compared to the group treated with only LPS (p<0.05). From the above results, it shows that Chung-Dae extract, a plant-derived compound, inhibits the inflammatory response induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells. and in particular, regulates the inflammatory response by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related enzymes.

Agarum clathratum (A. clathratum) is a marine brown algal species that belongs to the Costariaceae family and has antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of A. clathratum and the molecular mechanisms involved have not been determined so far. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of A. clathratum extracts in THP-1 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis. The THP-1 cells were differentiated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and treated with A. clathratum before LPS stimulation. Cell viability was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion assay. The expression of pro-inflammatory response-associated molecules was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. A. clathratum treatment inhibited the expression of interleukin-1β in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages without causing any cytotoxicity. The anti-inflammatory effect of A. clathratum resulted in a significant repression of the JNK/c-Jun signaling axis, a key regulator in inflammation responses. This study highlights the possible role of A. clathratum in the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines via suppression of the JNK/c-Jun signaling axis and suggests that A. clathratum could serve as a marine-derived anti-inflammatory agent in periodontitis.

본 연구는 홍삼추출물의 화장품소재로서의 항염증 효과의 가능성을 확인하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 본 연구에서는 홍삼 추출물을 사용하여 항염증에 대한 생물학적 활성평가를 수행하였다. 대식세포인 RAW 264.7 세포에서 시료의 항염증 효과를 평가하기 위해 MTT assay를 이용한 홍삼 추출물의 독성평가와 nitric oxide 생성 저해 활성 및 염증관련 단백질 및 유전자의 발현량을 확인하였다. LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포 내에서 시료의 nitric oxide 저해활성은 25 μg/ml에서 71.2 %의 우수한 효능을 나타내었으며, western blot 시험결과 iNOS, COX-2 단백질의 발현은 농도 의존적으로 감소하는 것으로 확인하였다. 이러한 실험 결과를 바탕으로 홍삼추출물이 항염 효과를 가진 화장품 소재로서의 가치를 제안할 수 있다.

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of processed (Beopje) curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) in LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 cells. The experimental group was classified into five groups : LPS no treatment, CD (curly dock), CD-B (CD processed through Beopje), LPS, LPS+CD-B (LPS+CD processed through Beopje) and LPS+CD (LPS+CD). Treatment of the Raw 264.7 cell lines using LPS led to a significant increase in NO production, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β), and inflammation related genes (COX-2 and iNOS). Investigation of the inhibitory effects of CD and processed CD on NO production and expression of iNOS and COX-2 was done in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. There was significant inhibition of NO production by LPS+CD and LPS+CD-B in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Particularly, LPS+CD-B exhibited reduced mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 and NO production as compared to LPS+CD in Raw 264.7 cell lines (p<0.05). These results may explain some known biological activities of curly dock including the anti-inflammatory effects. CD-B in particular exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory effects of inhibiting production of NO, through the regulation of inflammatory related genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results of Beopje processing might help decrease the anti-biological effects and increase several active substances of curly dock

Arthrospira platensis has been reported to contain a variety of substances such as phycocyanin, β-carotene, vitamin E and other carotenoids. In this study, zebrafish were treated with indoor cultivation spirulina ethanol extracts(ICAE) to determine toxicity(coagulation rate, hatching rate, heart rate). We used the DCFH-DA staining method to detect the effect of reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced zebrafish embryos ROS various concentrations(0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5mg/ml) of ICAE. Cell toxicity was measured by WST-1 assay on RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Also, measured the inhibitory effect of nitric oxide(NO) and prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂) production in RAW264.7 macrophages induced by LPS at various concentrations of ICAE. The results of embryo coagulation rate, hatching rate, heart rate of zebrafish at various(0.01, 0.05, 0.1mg/ml) of ICAE was no toxicity. The ICAE treated group had an inhibitory effect on NO and PGE₂ production compared and decreased with concentration. The results of this study ethanol extract of Arthrospira platensis has an anti-inflammatory effect and suggest that is worthy of use cosmetics for skin protection.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fermented Kalopanax pictus (KP-F) on macrophage activation and its effect as a competitive inhibitor of LPS and inhibitory effect on endotoxemia. The results showed that KP-F could activate macrophage in a dose-dependent manner, and KP-F was confirmed to act as a ligand for TLR4. Also, it was found that KP-F did not exhibit the same biotoxicity as LPS in intraperitoneal injection, and that it could suppress the neutrophil migration induced by LPS administration. In normal mice, the body weight, tissue weight, and amount of nitrite and pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum showed no significant changes with KP-F diet for 2 weeks, confirming that administration of KP-F in normal mice did not lead to over activation of immune response and biotoxicity. In the mouse model of endotoxemia induced by LPS and D-galactosamine(D-GalN) in sub-lethal dose, the diet of KP-F effectively inhibited the amount of nitrite and cytokines in the blood, and thus was found to be able to relieve the hepatic and kidney injury. In addition, in the endotoxemia mouse model induced by LPS and D-GalN of lethal dose, the survival rate was increased by KP-F diet in a dose-dependent manner.

Inflammation is an important protective response mechanism that occurs against microbial invasion or injury. However, excessive inflammation may lead to cause of morbidity and mortality in diseases. The activated macrophages plays a vital role in inflammatory response by stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). This activation further damages the host by inducing certain pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), TNF-α, inducible nitrous oxide (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2). Flavonoids are bioactive compounds with potential effects as anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-viral and anti-bacterial activities. Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) are unique to citrus plants which are of specific interest owing to their biological effects that includes lipoprotein metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity. Sinensetin is one of the PMFs having five methoxy groups on the basic benzo-γ-pyrone skeleton with a carbonyl group at the C4 position. Sinensetin have been known for exerting various pharmacological activities including anti-angiogenesis, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. However, there are no studies focused on the anti-inflammatory effects of sinensetin on skeletal muscle cells. In the present study, we investigated the antiinflammatory effect of flavonoids isolated from Sinensetin on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) by inhibition of signal transduction in LPS - induced L6 skeletal muscle cells.

Rock bream iridovirus (RBIV) is a megalocytivirus widely infected in various fish species in Korea, causing symptoms of acute inflammation and enlargement of spleen. In our previous study, RBIV induced the initial upregulation but later down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and IFN1 gene expression. Signal transducers and activators of transcriptions (STAT) are transcription factors involved in the regulation of immune genes including IFNs. This study was conducted to analyse the expression of STAT2. The expressional study of STAT2 gene was performed in head kidney and spleen upon RBIV infection and immune stimulants like LPS or poly I:C in vitro. Consequently, STAT2 gene expression pattern was different in head kidney and spleen as it was significantly up-regulated by LPS from 4 h to 8 h but down-regulated at 24 h while up-regulated by poly I:C at 8 h in head kidney while, in spleen, STAT2 gene expression was down regulated by LPS but significantly up-regulated by poly I:C. Upon RBIV stimulation, STAT2 gene expression was significantly down-regulated by high dose RBIV at 4 h but up-regulated at 8 h and 24 h in head kidney. In spleen cells, it was up-regulated by medium dose RBIV at 4 h and by high dose RBIV at 4 h and 8 h but down regulated later then. In vivo, STAT2 gene expression was not significantly affected by RBIV infection while significant up-regulated by vaccination at day 7 post-vaccination, indicating STAT2 gene can be involved in adaptive immune response in rock bream.

Germinated brown rice (GBR, Orysa sartiva L.) has been reported to have anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects in adipocytes are not fully understood. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of GBR on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pretreated with GBR extracts (0-20 mg/mL) 1 h before LPS stimulation. The mRNA expression of adipokines and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were measured by RT-PCR. The protein expressions of TLR4- related molecules were detected by western blotting and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation was measured. Our results showed that GBR extract dose-dependently inhibited mRNA expression of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). GBR extract was found to inhibit LPS-induced mRNA expression of TLR4 and protein expression of both myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and TNF receptorassociated factor 6 (TRAF6). Furthermore, GBR extract significantly inhibited extracellular receptor-activated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and NF-κB activation. These results suggest that GBR extract has the anti-inflammatory effects on LPSinduced inflammation via inhibition of TLR4 signaling, includingthe ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways, in adipocytes.