Search

Methanol extract and its fractions (hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H2O) of Dryopteris crassirhizoma were investigated for antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The hexane fraction showed a good antibacterial activity against all tested strains.

Mume Fructus (Family Rosaceae) is used as a traditional drug and health food in Asian countries. However, its therapeutic mechanisms and effects on macrophage-mediated inflammation remain unknown. In this study we examined the effect of Mume Fructus water extract (MFWE) on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The investigation focused on whether MFWE inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 productions, as well as the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. We found that MFWE inhibited LPS-induced NO, PGE(2), and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, MFWE suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylations of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase MAPK, as well as IkappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation. These results suggest that MFWE has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced PGE2, NO, and IL-6 production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the phosphorylation of MAPKs following IkappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation.

Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae) has been used to treat headache of common cold, supraorbital neuralgia, painful swelling on the body, nasal stuffiness, leukorrhea and arthralgia due to wind-dampness in Korean traditional medicine. It is also claimed to be effective in the treatment of acne, erythema, headache, toothache, sinusitis, colds and flu. The present study focused whether the ethyl acetate extract from Angelica Dahuricae Radix (EAAD) inhibits production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, as well as expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. EAAD inhibited LPS-induced NO, PGE(2) and TNF-alpha production as well as expression of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW 264.7 cells. EAAD inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in THP-1 cells. Furthermore, EAAD suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), I-kappaBalpha degradation, and NF-kappaB activation in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that EAAD has the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced TNF-alpha, NO and PGE(2) production, and expression of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophage through blockade in the phosphorylation of MAPKs, following I-kappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects and sedative activities of the ethyl acetate fraction of Cynanchum paniculatum (EACP) were evaluated in mice and rats by acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, arachidonic acid-induced paw edema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation, formalin-induced licking time, acetic acid-induced writhing response, and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. EACP at a dose of 40 mg/kg significantly exhibited anti-inflammatory activities on acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, arachidonic acid-induced paw edema, and the late phase of formalin-induced licking time. Moreover, it showed anti-nociceptive effects on acetic acid-induced writhing responses and significant sedative effects on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. The results demonstrated that the anti-nociceptive effects are apparently related to the sedative effects of EACP. These results support the use of Cynanchum paniculatum in relieving inflammatory pain.

Schisandra fructus has been used for treatment of cough and thirst in Korea. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain largely unclear. To investigate the biological effect of Schisandra fructus water extract (SFWE), we examined the effect of SFWE on the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in the human mast cell line HMC-1. HMC-1 cells were stimulated with PMA plus A23187 in the presence or absence of SFWE. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) productions were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Inhibitory IkappaB/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) expression was assessed by western blot. SFWE suppressed PMA plus A23187-induced TNF-alpha, IL-6, and GM-CSF production in dose-dependent manners. Furthermore, SFWE inhibited IkappaB degradation and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. These results suggest that SFWE inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in HMC-1 cells through blockade of IkappaB degradation and NF-kappaB activation. Taken together, these findings may help elucidate the mechanism of action of this medicine in the modulation of mast cell activation in inflammatory conditions.