The Inhibitory Effects on Cytotoxicity and Nitric Oxide (NO) of the Nano-Encapsulated Extraction of Lipid-Soluble Green Tea Leaves.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the bioactive substances and extraction conditions of lipid-soluble green tee extract using supercritical CO extraction from green tea leaves growing in Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do and to demonstrate cell safety and effects on inflammatory response of the nano-encapsulated lipid-soluble green tee extract. The polyphenol content of green tea extract using supercritical CO2 extraction was analyzed. The highest polyphenol was extracted in the condition of 400 bar/50 °C. A total of polyphenol content was 2.47 mg/g. The lipid-soluble vitamin content of supercritical extracts of lipid-soluble green tea was analyzed. Beta-carotene, a vitamin A precursor (4.131 mg/100 g) and vitamin E (537.9 mg/100 g) were detected. ECG content was the highest of catechin of lipid-soluble green tea extract. For cell safety and NO inhibition, human skin cell-derived HaCaT cells and RBL-2H3 mast cells did not have cytotoxicity in 1% of the nano-encapsulated lipid-soluble green tea leaf extract. RAW 264.7 cells did not show cytotoxicity in 5%. NO production was significantly decreased in RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and within the concentration range. Based on the findings, this study suggested the extraction standards and ingredients of polyphenol according to temperature and pressure in extracting green tea leaf ingredients using supercritical CO2 extraction. This study also objectively demonstrated the safety and anti-inflammatory effect of the nano-encapsulated lipid-soluble green tea leaf extract which is used as functional materials in the cosmetic industry.

Both ipsilateral and contralateral localized vibratory stimulations modulated pain-related sensory thresholds on the foot in mice and humans.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of localized vibration on sensory thresholds in mice and humans using a novel quantitative method. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The sensory thresholds of 7-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were measured with four sine-wave electrostimulation frequencies (5, 50, 250, and 2,000 Hz) before and after applying 2-minute vibration to the plantar side of the foot in mice. In human participants (16 males and 16 females; mean age, 21.0±0.8 years), the sensory threshold was measured at 50 Hz before and after applying 2-minute and 5-minute vibrations to the dorsal side of the foot. RESULTS: Application of a 2-minute vibration at either the ipsilateral or contralateral side modulated the sensory thresholds elicited by a 5- or 50-Hz right electrostimulation in mice. In human participants, application of a 5-minute vibration at either the ipsilateral or contralateral side modulated the sensory threshold elicited by 50-Hz right electrostimulation, but had no effect on local skin temperature. These results suggest that the right side of pain-related Aδ fibers (50 Hz) or C fibers (5 Hz) was modulated by the localized ipsilateral or contralateral side of vibratory stimuli, respectively, in mice and humans. CONCLUSION: The ability of contralateral vibration to modify the right sensory thresholds suggests possible involvement of the central nervous system in vibratory modulation.

Effects of selenoprotein P on the contraction and relaxation of the airway smooth muscle.

Selenoprotein P (SeP) not only represents the major selenoprotein in plasma, but also provides more than 50% of the total plasma selenium. However, there is no report concerning the direct action of selenium or selenium-containing compounds on the contraction and relaxation of the airway smooth muscle. Therefore, we investigated the effects of SeP and sodium selenite (SS) on the indirectly induced contraction and relaxation of the cat bronchi, and gel contraction of cultured bovine tracheal smooth muscle cells (BTSMC) induced by ATP. In the present results, SeP or SS suppressed the amplitude of twitch-like contractions of cat bronchiole without affecting the non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations evoked by electrical field stimulation. SeP also suppressed the ATP-induced gel contraction of BTSMC. These results suggest that SeP suppresses the amplitude of twitch-like contraction of cat bronchiole by acting directly on the bronchiolar smooth muscle.

Inhibitory effect of Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix on expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mouse BV2 microglial cells.

OBJECTIVES: Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix has traditionally been used for treating headache, flu-like symptoms, limb-ache and disability, and even for treating toothache. We investigated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. METHODS: For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, prostaglandin E(2) immunoassay and nitric oxide detection in mouse BV2 microglial cells were performed. RESULTS: Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix suppressed prostaglandin E(2) synthesis and nitric oxide production by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA in mouse BV2 microglial cells. DISCUSSION: The present study indicates that Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix can be applied as a valuable treatment for brain inflammation and headache.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the aqueous extract of corni fructus in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Corni fructus is the fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc, which is classified into the dogwood family of Cornaceae. Corni fructus has antineoplastic, antioxidative, and antidiabetic effects, but its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are unknown. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of an aqueous extract of corni fructus using murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. For this study, we used the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, western blot analysis, prostaglandin (PG) E(2) immunoassay, and nitric oxide (NO) detection. In addition, the analgesic effect of corni fructus was assessed by the acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice. The aqueous extract of corni fructus suppressed PGE(2) synthesis and NO production by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The extract also suppressed increases in nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) levels in the nucleus. In vivo study showed that the extract suppressed the acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice. The aqueous extract of corni fructus exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by suppressing COX-2 and iNOS expression through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB binding activity.

Effect of Acanthopanax senticosus on 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of exercised rats.

Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (AS) is classified into the family of Araliaceae. The plant has been used as an analeptic aid, which improves weakened physical status and strength. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) catalyzes the rate-f the raphe nuclei. These are associated with "central fatigue hypotheses" in the brain. In the present study, the effects of Acanthopanax senticosus on the time to exhaustion by treadmill exercise and on 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe were investigated by immunohistochemistry. In the present results, Acanthopanax senticosus increased the time to exhaustion by treadmill running and it suppressed the exercise-induced increase of 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression. Acanthopanax senticosus was effective as caffeine for increasing the exhaustion time in treadmill running and for reducing the exercise-induced increase of 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe. The present study shows that Acanthopanax senticosus reduces fatigue during exercise by the inhibition of exercise-induced 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe.

Effects of acupuncture on the intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression and newly cell birth in rats.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most devastating types of stroke. Caspases are essential players in apoptotic cell death both as initiators and executioners. The v-Fos FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Fos, c-Fos) is an immediate early gene, and Fos expression is sometimes used as a marker for stimuli-induced changes in the metabolic activity of neurons. The expressions of caspase3 and Fos are enhanced with neuroregeneration and with neuronal cell death, respectively. Cells proliferation the dentate gyrus of adult rodents is enhanced by certain pathologic events as seizures and ischemic insult, and such up-regulation of cell proliferation occurring during pathologic situations is thought to be a compensatory response to lesion-induced cell death in the brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of acupuncture on the intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression in the striatum and on the Fos expression and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats. METHODS: For this study, immunohistochemistry for caspase3, Fos and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was performed. RESULTS: Caspase3 expression in the striatum was increased by intrastriatal hemorrhage. Fos expression and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage were also increased. Acupunctural treatment, especially at the ST36 acupoint, suppressed the intracerebral hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression in the stratum, and it also inhibited expression of Fos and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we have shown that acupuncture treatment has a neuroprotective effect on intrastrstriatal hemorrhage-induced neuronal cell death, and this suggests that acupuncture can aid in the recovery of the central nervous system following stroke.

Armeniacae semen extract suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase [correction of cycloosygenase]-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mouse BV2 microglial cells.

Armeniacae semen is the seed of Prunus armeniaca L. var. ansu MAXIM which is classified into Rosaceae. In traditional oriental medicine, Armeniacae semen has been used for the treatment of pain and inflammatory diseases. In this study, the effect of Armeniacae semen extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, prostaglandin E2 immunoassay, and nitric oxide detection on mouse BV2 microglial cells. In the present results, Armeniacae semen extract suppressed prostaglandin E2 synthesis and nitric oxide production by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated enhancement of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in BV2 cells. These results show that Armeniacae semen exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects probably by suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions.

Administration of Ginseng radix decreases nitric oxide synthase expression in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Alternation of NOS expression is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous secondary complications of diabetes. Aqueous extract of Ginseng radix has traditionally been used for the various disorders including diabetes. In this study, the effect of Ginseng radix on the NOS expression in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. Enhanced NOS expression was detected in the hippocampus of diabetic rats and administration of Ginseng radix suppressed NOS expression. Ginseng radix may aid the treatment of central nervous system complications in diabetes.

Modulation of Corydalis tuber on glycine-induced ion current in acutely dissociated rat periaqueductal gray neurons.

Traditionally, Corydalis tuber has been used for the control of pain including headache, stomach ache, and neuralgia. In the present study, modulation of the Corydalis tuber on glycine-activated ion current in the acutely dissociated periaqueductal gray (PAG) neurons was studied by a nystatin-perforated patch-clamp technique. High concentrations of Corydalis tuber elicited ion current, which was suppressed by strychnine application, while low concentrations of Corydalis tuber reduced glycine-induced ion current in the PAG neurons. Inhibitory action of Corydalis tuber on glycine-activated ion current was partially abolished by treatment with naltrexone, a non-selective opioid antagonist. Application of N-methylmalemide (NEM), a sulfhydryl alkylating agent, also partially abolished the inhibitory action of Corydalis tuber on glycine-activated ion current in the PAG neurons. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of Corydalis tuber on glycine-activated ion current in the PAG neurons is one of the analgesic mechanisms of the Corydalis tuber.

Acupuncture suppresses intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in rats.

Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most devastating types of stroke. In the present study, the effect of acupuncture on intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced neuronal cell death in rats was investigated via Nissl staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3. The present results showed that lesion size and apoptotic neuronal cell death in the striatum were significantly increased following intrastriatal hemorrhage in rats and that acupunctural treatment at the Zusanli acupoint suppressed the hemorrhage-induced increase in lesion size and apoptotic neuronal cell death in the striatum. In the present study, it can be suggested that acupunctural treatment, especially at the Zusanli acupoint, may aid in the recovery following central nervous system sequellae following intracerebral hemorrhage.

Atractylodes japonica suppresses lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Atractylodes japonica has traditionally been used for the treatment of pain and arthritis. The effect of Atractylodes japonica against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation was investigated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), nitric oxide detection, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) immunoassay in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages. The aqueous extract of Atractylodes japonica suppressed nitric oxide production and PGE2 synthesis by inhibition of the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated enhancement of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNAs expressions in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that Atractylodes japonica exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects probably by suppression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expressions.

Aqueous extract of ma huang suppresses neuropeptide Y expression in food-deprived rat hypothalamus.

Ma huang, the dried plant stem of ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C.A., contains an ephedrine-type alkaloid and has been used for weight loss. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36-amino acid peptide, is concentrated in the hypothalamus and stimulates feeding desire. In this study, the effect of ma huang on the expressions of NPY in the hypothalamus of rats was investigated using immunohistochemistry. Food-deprivation enhanced the NPY expression in the hypothalamus. ma huang suppressed the food-deprivation-induced enhancement of NPY expression. Present results suggest that ma huang curbs the food desire by suppressing the NPY expression under food-deprivation conditions.

Protective effect of aqueous extract of Ginseng radix against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Ginseng radix, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER (Araliaceae), is one of the best-known Oriental medicinal herbs with numerous therapeutic applications. To investigate whether Ginseng radix possesses a protective effect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP(+))-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed on PC12 neuronal cells. Cells treated with MPP(+) exhibited various apoptotic features, while cell pretreated with Ginseng radix prior to MPP(+) exposure showed a decrease in the occurrence of apoptotic features. These results suggest that Ginseng radix may exert a protective effect against MPP(+)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Protective effect of shenqi-wan against H2O2-induced apoptosis in hippocampal neuronal cells.

The present study investigated whether Shenqi-wan possesses a protective effect against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis of the hippocampal cell line HiB5. Through morphological and biochemical analyses, it was demonstrated that HiB5 cells treated with H2O2 exhibited several apoptotic features, while cells pre-treated with Shenqi-wan prior to H2O2 exposure showed a decrease in the occurrence of apoptosis. In addition, a patch clamp study revealed that Shenqi-wan inhibited profoundly N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor-activated ion current in acutely dissociated hippocampal CA1 neurons. These results suggest that Shenqi-wan may exert its protective effect against H2O2-induced apoptosis via inhibition of NMDA receptors in hippocampal neuronal cells.

Acupuncture modulates expressions of nitric oxide synthase and c-Fos in hippocampus after transient global ischemia in gerbils.

The effects of acupuncture on the expressions of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and c-Fos in the hippocampus of gerbils after transient ischemia were investigated via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry and Fos immunohistochemistry. In animals of the ischemia-induction groups, both common carotid arteries were occluded for 5 minutes. Animals of the acupunctued groups were given acupunctural treatment at Zusanli twice daily for 9 consecutive days. Acupuncture was shown to decrease NADPH-d and c-Fos levels in both the sham-operation group and the ischemia-induction group. These results suggest that acupuncture modulates the expressions of NOS and c-Fos in the hippocampus.

Red ginseng inhibits exercise-induced increase in 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in dorsal raphe of rats.

Red ginseng has been used as an ergogenic aid for endurance exercise. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of Red ginseng on the endurance in treadmill exercise and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of rats were studied. Rats receiving Red ginseng showed increased time to exhaustion for treadmill running, and Red ginseng treatment inhibited exercise-induced increases in 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe. These results suggest that the suppressive effect of Red ginseng on serotonin level during exercise is a possible ergogenic mechanism of Red ginseng.

Modulation of Chelidonii herba on glycine-activated and glutamate-activated ion currents in rat periaqueductal gray neurons.

BACKGROUND: Chelidonii herba is classified as Papaver somniferum L. Aqueous extract from C. herba is traditionally used for disorders with symptoms like pain, bloating, abdominal cramp after meals. METHODS: Modulation of C. herba on glycine-activated and glutamate-activated ion currents in the acutely dissociated periaqueductal gray (PAG) neurons was investigated by the nystatin-perforated patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: C. herba inhibited glycine-activated ion current and increased glutamate-activated ion current. C. herba-induced inhibition on glycine-activated ion current is implicated in opioid receptors and GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins). Increased glutamate-activated ion current induced by C. herba is linked neither by opioid receptors nor GTP-binding proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Suppressed glycine-induced response and elevated glutamate-induced response by C. herba may increase neuronal excitability in PAG, results in activation of descending pain control system, and this mechanism can be suggested as one of the analgesic actions of C. herba.

Effect of acupuncture on nitric oxide synthase expression in cerebral cortex of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Effect of acupuncture on the expressions of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) in the cerebral cortex of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Animals were divided into four groups; the control group, the nondiabetic and acupunctured group, the STZ-induced-diabetes group, and the STZ-induced diabetic and acupunctured group. To produce the diabetic animal model, a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg) was given to each animal; animals of the nondiabetic groups received equivalent amounts of normal saline, also via intraperitoneal injection. From the results, acupuncture was shown to increase the numbers of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase-positive and nNOS-positive neurons in STZ-induced diabetic rats. From the present study, it may be suggested that acupuncture modulates NOS and nNOS expressions in the cerebral cortex under diabetic conditions.

Protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus against ethanol-induced apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC.

The protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) against ethanol (EtOH)-induced apoptosis of the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC was investigated via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometric analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and caspase-3 assay. It was shown that cells treated with EtOH exhibit classical apoptotic features, while cells pre-treated with Acanthopanax senticosus prior to EtOH exposure showed decreased occurrence of apoptotic features. In addition, Acanthopanax senticosus pre-treatment was shown to inhibit EtOH-induced increase in caspase-3 mRNA expression and activity. These results suggest that Acanthopanax senticosus may exert a protective effect against EtOH-induced apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cells.