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This study compared the nutritional components, isoflavones, and antioxidant activities by solid-sate fermentation of Apios americana Medikus (AAM) with seven different fungi. The total fatty acid contents increased from 120.5 mg/100 g (unfermented AAM, UFAAM) to 242.0 to 3167.5 mg/100 g (fermented AAM, FAAM) with all fungi. In particular, the values of total fatty acids were highest (26.3-fold increase) in the FAAM with Monascus purpureus. The amount of total free amino acids increased from 591.69 mg/100 g (UFAAM) to 664.38 to 1603.07 mg/100 g after fermentation except for Monascus pilosus and Lentinula edodes. The total mineral contents increased evidently after fermentation with M. purpureus, F. velutipes, and Tricholoma matsutake (347.36 → 588.29, 576.59, and 453.32 mg/100 g, respectively). The UFAAM predominated isoflavone glycosides, whereas glycoside forms were converted into aglycone forms after fermentation by fungi. The bioconversion rates of glycoside to aglycone were excellent in the FAAM with M. pilosus , M. purpureus , F. velutipes , and T. matsutake (0.01 → 0.69, 0.50, 0.27, and 0.31 mg/g, respectively). Furthermore, the total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities by the abovementioned FAAM were high except for L. edodes. This FAAM can be used as a potential food and pharmaceutical materials. [Display omitted] • Apios (Apios americana Medikus) was solid-state fermented with seven different fungi. • The total fatty acid contents of AAM were increased after fermentation. • Among amino acids, the content of glutamic acid was increased after fermentation with fungi. • Monascus pilosus in AAM greatly converted isoflavone glycosides into aglycones. • The FAAM with Monascus purpureus had the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance The root of Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg is traditionally used to treat coughs, colds, headache and inflammatory diseases in Korea and Japan. Its effects on allergic lung inflammation have not been investigated. Aim of the study To investigate the anti-asthmatic effects of Peucedanum japonicum extract (PJE) using a murine model of asthma and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cell line. Materials and methods Mice underwent two rounds of sensitization with ovalbumin 1 week apart followed by four intranasal ovalbumin challenges on days 13–16. The control group received saline only. Two ovalbumin-sensitized groups were orally administered vehicle or PJE (200 mg/kg) 5 days a week starting 1 week before the first ovalbumin sensitization. The third group was orally administered the asthma medication Montelukast (10 mg/kg) on days 12–16. All animals were sacrificed on day 17. The lungs were assessed for histological features, inflammatory cell infiltration, Th2 cell activation and GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3) expression. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assessed for type 2 cytokine levels. The effect of PJE on the in vitro Th2 polarization of naïve CD4 + splenocytes and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was evaluated. Results PJE treatment inhibited OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration, eosinophilia, Th2 activation, and GATA-3 expression in the lung, reduced the interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 levels in BALF, down-regulated Th2 activation in vitro , and inhibited the macrophage production of inducible nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6. Conclusion PJE attenuated allergic airway inflammation by inhibiting Th2 cell activation and macrophage production of inflammatory mediators. Peucedanum japonicum may be candidate therapy for allergic lung inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, the roots of Angelica reflexa B.Y.Lee (AR) have been used to treat cough, phlegm, neuralgia, and arthralgia in Northeast Asia. The anti-asthmatic effect of AR root extract (ARE) was determined using a murine airway allergic inflammation model and the primary T cell polarization assay. To evaluate the anti-asthmatic effect of ARE, inflammatory cell infiltration was determined histologically and inflammatory mediators were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Furthermore, the effects of AREs on Th2 cell differentiation and activation were determined by western blotting and flow cytometry. Asthmatic phenotypes were alleviated by ARE treatment, which reduced mucus production, inflammatory cell infiltration (especially eosinophilia), and type 2 cytokine levels in BALF. ARE administration to mice reduced the number of activated Th2 (CD4+CD25+) cells and level of GATA3 in the lungs. Furthermore, ARE treatment inhibited the differentiation of Th2 cells in primary cell culture systems via interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) signaling. Our findings indicate that the anti-asthmatic effect of AREs is mediated by the reduction in Th2 cell activation by regulating IRF4. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen (LDS) is used as a traditional herbal medicine in northeast Asia, mainly in Korea, Japan, and China to treat lung disorders including coughs and phlegm caused by acute and chronic airway inflammation. Recently, interest regarding health problems incurred by air pollution has rapidly grown. Herbal medicines are being considered as alternative agents to treat various diseases. In the present study, we evaluated and compared the anti-inflammatory effects of LDS, which is derived from Lepidium apetalum Willd. extracts (LAE) and Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl extracts (DSE), on allergic airway inflammation. We established an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of LDS extracts. We performed histological examination and measured relevant inflammatory mediators and cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung. Furthermore, we conducted an in vitro T helper 2 (Th2) polarization assay, flow cytometry, and western blot analysis. Asthmatic phenotypes were attenuated by LDS extract treatments. LDS extract administration significantly reduced mucus production, inflammatory cell infiltration into airways, and eosinophil activation. Furthermore, LDS extracts reduced the expression of type 2 cytokines and inhibited differentiation and activation of Th2 cells. LDS alleviated eosinophilic inflammation by inhibiting Th2 cell differentiation, and DSE was more effective in attenuating allergic lung inflammation than LAE. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Anthriscus sylvestris L. Hoffmann (AS) is a perennial plant that grows in Asia and Eastern Europe. Its dried root is used to treat conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and cough. Aim of the study The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of whole AS extract (ASE) on allergic lung inflammation in vitro and in vivo as well as the underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods We used an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model and in vitro primary T helper (Th)2 polarization system. Five groups of 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were divided into the following groups: saline control, or OVA-induced allergic asthma with vehicle, ASE (100 or 200 mg/kg), or dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) treatment for 7 days. Results ASE attenuated mucus secretion in airway epithelial cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, eosinophilia, and Th2 cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Mice administered ASE showed reductions in the activated cluster of differentiation 4+ T cell population and GATA-binding protein-3 gene expression in the lung, and diminished Th2 cell differentiation and activation in vitro. Furthermore, ASE-treated mice showed decreased interleukin-6 and interferon regulatory factor (IRF)4 expression, with corresponding reductions in nitric oxide levels in the lungs of asthmatic mice and in stimulated RAW cells. Conclusion ASE exerts anti-asthmatic effects by inhibiting IRF4 expression and thereby suppressing Th2 cell activation. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological evidence Peucedani Radix (PR), the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (PPD) or Peucedanum decursivum (Miq.) Maxim. (PDM), has long been used in Korea to eliminate sputum, relieve cough, and reduce bronchus contraction. Furthermore, these therapeutic strategies are recognized as general and effective methods in western medicine as well as traditional Korean medicine. Aim of the study To determine and compare the anti-inflammatory effects of PPD extracts (PPDE) and PDM extracts (PDME) on allergic lung inflammation, using in vivo OVA-induced airway inflammation in mice and in vitro primary cell culture systems. Materials and methods Eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were placed into four groups (n=4 per group): saline control, OVA-induced allergic lung inflammation with vehicle, or PPDE (200 mg/kg) or PDME (200 mg/kg) treatment. PR extracts (PRE) were administered from 1 week before 1st OVA sensitization to the day before sacrifice. Mice were sacrificed 18 h after last OVA intra-nasal challenge followed by histological and biochemical analyses. Results Inflammatory phenotypes were alleviated with oral administration of PRE. PRE treatment decreased mucus production in airway epithelium, inflammatory cell number, eosinophilia, type 2 cytokines, and histamine in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Mice with PRE administration showed diminished activated CD4 T cell (CD4 + CD25 + cell) and GATA-3 level in the lung. In addition, PRE treatment reduced Th2 cell activation in vitro , using Th2 polarization system. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of PRE arise from reduced Th2 cell activation and validate the clinical use of PR in traditional Korean medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Kouksundo is a traditional Korean mind–body practice that has been practiced for thousands of years. We investigated the effects of Kouksundo on oxidative stress-related biomarkers and stress hormones. Methods A single-arm observational study was conducted on 57 Kouksundo trainees (34 males and 23 females). Blood samples were collected 30 min before and after Kouksundo practice (25 min for warm-up, 45 min for breathing meditation, and 20 min for cool-down). Results Kouksundo significantly reduced serum levels of oxidant markers, including reactive oxygen species ( p < 0.01), nitric oxide ( p < 0.01), and malondialdehyde ( p < 0.05), induced elevation of superoxide dismutase ( p < 0.01), and reduction of catalase ( p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in total antioxidant capacity or total glutathione content levels ( p > 0.05). Kouksundo practice also significantly reduced the serum level of cortisol ( p < 0.001), norepinephrine ( p < 0.001), and dopamine ( p < 0.05), and significantly increased serum epinephrine concentrations ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The traditional Korean mind–body practice Kouksundo provided health benefits by regulating oxidative stress and levels of stress hormones. This study is the first investigation of the changes in oxidative stress and stress hormones induced by mind–body therapy, producing reference data for mechanistic studies on these practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The soil profile between 12.0 and 14.0 m.a.s.l. was deposited at the Nabokri Valley Plain, Buyeo, Korea from approximately 6000 BP to the present. Through phytolith analysis of 20 samples collected at 10 cm intervals, five Phytolith Assemblage Zones (PAZs) are identified. Based on the number of various types of phytoliths and occurrence of specific families adapting to the particular climates, this study yields the climatic indices, reconstructs the paleoclimates, and estimates the human activities during the reconstructed period. The five PAZs are well correlated to the chronology of sedimentary layers and construction periods of the artifacts at the archaeological excavation. The Buyeo area was temperate and wet during the Neolithic Age (PAZ-I) and there is no phytolith evidence of vegetation change by humans. The climate can be characterized as temperate and wet during the early Bronze Age (PAZ-II), but then cooling later. During this period, agricultural activities began with the Panicoideae including Oryza sativa. In the early Iron Age, the climate became warmer. The climate during the Proto-Three States Age (PAZ-III) since 2000 BP was variable, and species such as O. sativa and Panicoideae were actively cultivated. The Three States Age can be characterized by variable climates similar to the Proto-Three States Age. The Ic (Climate index) and Iph (Humidity-aridity index) values indicate that the climates were first wet and then became drier. Agricultural activities are identified from the Bronze Age (PAZ-II) through Three States Age and Joseon Dynasty (PAZ-IV) based on the presence of cultivation layers as well as specific phytolithic indicators of agriculture. The uppermost layer (PAZ-V) shows no evidence of agricultural activities due to the significant decrease in the number of phytoliths, perhaps from recent abandonment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adulterants in processed food and herbal medicines reduce their safety, quality control, or pharmacological efficacy. Four mistletoe species, including Viscum coloratum , inhabit Korea. Leaves and branches of V. coloratum , defined as edible or medicinal mistletoe species in Korean, are used to prepare Korean herbal medicines as well as leached tea. However, other mistletoe species including Taxillus sutchuenensis var. duclouxii , Korthalsella japonica , and Loranthus tanakae are frequently distributed as authentic V. coloratum in Korean markets because of similarities in the branches morphology and Korean names of these species with V. coloratum. Although herbal medicines and food products prepared from the other mistletoe species are inauthentic, they are sold at high prices because of the rarity of these species. Thus, it is important to distinguish between authentic and inauthentic adulterant mistletoe species. In this study, we developed species-specific primer, based on mat K sequences, suitable for both conventional PCR and real time PCR (qPCR) assay. These assays allowed rapid discrimination among all four mistletoe species. Moreover, qPCR assay enabled the detection of trace amounts of adulterant mistletoe species in V. coloratum samples. Furthermore, we used these assays to monitor commercial mistletoe products distributed in Korean markets. Our data suggest that these methods would serve as a reliable genetic tool to prevent adulteration and standardize the quality of commercial V. coloratum products. Image 1 • Four mistletoe species inhabit in Korea. • Only V. coloratum is permit as an authentic ingredient of food and herbal medicine. • We developed species-specific primers for mistletoe based on mat K sequences. • Multiplex assay was established for species discrimination in conventional PCR. • Quantitative real-time PCR assays of high sensitivity were developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]