Search

Objectives : Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF) has been shown anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-rheumatoid properties. However, it is still largely unknown whether LJF inhibits skin injury against oxidative stress in human keratin ocyte, HaCaT cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of LJF against hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. Methods : To evaluate out the protective effects of LJF on oxidative inju ry in HaCaT cells, an oxidative stress model of HaCaT cells was established under a suitable concentration (500 µM) hydrogen peroxide. HaCaT keratinocyte cells were pre-treated with LJF (0.1, 0.25 or 0.5 mg/ml), and then stimulated with H2O2. Then, the cells were harvested to measure the cell viability, DNA damage, and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results : LJF (0.1, 0.25 or 0.5 mg/ml) itself did not show any significant toxicity in HaCaT cells. The treatment of H2O2 caused the oxidative stress, leading to the cell death, and DNA injury. However, pretreatment with LJF reduced cell death, and DNA injury. The stimulation of H2O2 on HaCaT cells resulted in excessive release of ROS, which is the main factor of oxidative stress. The excessive release of ROS was inhibited by LJF treatment significantly. Conclusions : These results could suggest that LJF exhibited the protective effects of HaCaT cells against H2O2 -induced oxidative stress by inhibiting ROS release. It could be explained that LJF inhibit skin damages against oxidative stress. Thus, LJF would be useful for the dev elopment of drug or cosmetics treating skin troubles.

Objective ： Lithospermum Erythrorhizon (LE) has been used as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. However, it is unclear that LE aqueous extract could show the anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract from LE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - induced inflammatory response. Methods ： To measure out the cytotoxicity of LE, we performed the MTT assay. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of LE, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin, (IL)-1β and (IL)-6) on RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-B (NF-κB) activation by western blot. Results ： Aqueous Extract from LE itself did not have any cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 cells. Aqueous extract from LE inhibited LPS-induced productions of inflammatory mediators such as NO, PGE2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in RAW 264.7cells. In addition, LE inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 kinases (p38), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and NF-κB activation in RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion ： LE down-regulated LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators through the inhibition of p38, JNK and NF-κB activation. Taken together, these results could provide the evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of LE. Therefore, LE may be a novel target in the management of inflammation and help to support a potential strategy for prevention and therapy of inflammatory diseases.