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For fragment-based cancer drug discovery, we introduced a molecular docking simulation combined with a protein chip assay. Protein chip technology was used to find fragment-hits that had inhibitory activity against Bcl-2 protein from 131 pre-selected fragment chemicals. Molecular docking simulation was performed for the 12 identified fragment-hits to establish the binding mode of these compounds in the Bcl-2 site. Using the molecular docking-assisted protein chip screening system, we derived a virtual compound structure with an important scaffold feature for interaction with the Bcl-2 protein. We then tested the anticancer activity of 26 compounds that were similar to the scaffold structure. The anticancer activity was confirmed by MTT-assay in A549 lung cancer cells. Finally, three chemicals showed dose-dependent inhibitory activity against cancer cell proliferation. We suggest that the present molecular docking-assisted protein chip assay can be used as a platform technology in the fragment-based drug development process to discover inhibitory agents of protein-protein interactions.

Background Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kitaib (AS) (Oriental wormwood, known as Bissuk in Korea) is a plant used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical treatments. However, the effect of AS on atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been described. Aim To examine the inhibitory effect of AS on AD using a murine model. Methods We applied either AS, the butanol-extracted fraction of AS (Bu-OH) or 3,5-dicaffeoyl-epi-quinic acid (DEQA, a major component of Bu-OH) topically for 3 weeks to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced skin lesions in BALB/c mice. Results AS, Bu-OH and DEQA suppressed the clinical symptoms of DNFB-induced skin lesions and he associated scratching behaviour. Numbers of inflammatory cells infiltrating skin lesions were significantly reduced by AS or Bu-OH application but not by DEQA. In addition, AS significantly suppressed serum levels of histamine and IgE, while Bu-OH significantly suppressed serum levels of histamine, IgE, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-6, and DEQA significantly suppressed serum levels of histamine, IgE, TSLP and IL-4 in DNFB-induced AD mice. In skin lesions, AS and Bu-OH significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines, whereas DEQA did not. AS, Bu-OH and DEQA all significantly suppressed caspase-1 activities. Conclusions These results demonstrate the anti-AD effects of AS, Bu-OH and DEQA, and suggest that all three have therapeutic potential.

HM0601 consists of Allium hookeri and Lycium chinense fruit and contains a lot of rutin. Here, we ascertained whether HM0601 and its major compound rutin reduce proliferation of human mast cell line, HMC-1, under thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) stimulation. Therapeutic rutin or HM0601 treatment considerably reduced proliferation of mast cells without exposing activated HMC-1 cells to any cytotoxicity. Reduced levels of mouse double minute 2 and phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 were accompanied by treatment with rutin or HM0601. In TSLP-stimulated cells, rutin or HM0601 treatment significantly impaired levels of interleukin (IL)-13 and Bcl2 expression. Notably, rutin or HM0601 treatment returned Bax and phosphorylated p53 protein levels and caspase-3 activities impaired by TSLP. In addition, levels of inflammatory cytokine were considerably reduced by treatment with rutin or HM0601 on TSLP-stimulated cells. In conclusion, these results indicate that HM0601 can be used as a new therapeutic herbal drug for prevention and therapeutic intervention of allergic inflammatory diseases.

This study investigated a salutary effect of atractylone (Atr) which is an active constituent of Pyeongwee-San (KMP6) on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions. Our previous report indicated that KMP6 regulated allergic reactions. Thus, this study sought to determine the potential of Atr in vitro models, compound 48/80-stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187-stimulated human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells, and stem cell factor (SCF)-stimulated RPMCs as well as in vivo models, IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis, and compound 48/80-induced ear swelling. The results showed that Atr inhibited compound 48/80-induced RPMCs degranulation, intracellular calcium level, tryptase release, and histamine release. Atr inhibited the up-regulation of p56lck tyrosine kinase activity by compound 48/80. And Atr reduced tryptase and histamine releases from PMA plus A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. In addition, Atr decreased histidine decarboxylase activity and expression in the activated HMC-1 cells. Atr inhibited SCF-induced morphological alteration and filamentous actin formation in RPMCs. Atr improved IgE-induced PCA reaction by decreasing the levels of histamine, IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor, and IL-13 in the serum of PCA-induced mice. Furthermore, Atr mitigated compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis and ear swelling. Taken together, these results of this study indicate that Atr regulates the degranulation of mast cell, proving its potential in the treatment of mast cell-mediated allergic reactions.

The amino acids in the placenta have multiple functions; however, the therapeutic effects of proline remain poorly for relief postmenopausal symptoms. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of proline in the treatment of menopause using in vitro and in vivo models. We assessed the therapeutic effects and regulatory mechanisms of proline by using MCF-7 estrogen-dependent cells, MG63 osteoblast cells, and ovariectomized mice model. An in vivo study was carried out in eight-week-old sham and ovariectomized group. The ovariectomized mouse was further subdivided into two groups administered orally with 17β-estradiol or proline (10 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. Proline significantly increased cell proliferation and Ki-67 levels in MCF-7 cells and enhanced cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, and glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase activation in MG63 cells. The estrogen receptor-β and estrogen-response elements luciferase activity were significantly increased by proline in MCF-7 and MG63 cells. In ovariectomized mice, oral administration of proline (10 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks significantly reduced body and vaginal weights. Proline also significantly increased serum estradiol and alkaline phosphatase levels, whereas serum luteinizing hormone was decreased by proline. In addition, detailed microcomputed tomography analysis showed that the proline notably enhanced bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume, and trabecular number in ovariectomized mice. Those findings implied that proline can be a promising candidate for the treatment of menopause.

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is one of the active components isolated from Cordyceps militaris, and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, and anti-cancer effects. Mast cell-derived thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory reactions. Here, we investigated the regulatory effect and mechanisms of cordycepin on the expression of TSLP in the human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells, and in the human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT cells. Cordycepin significantly decreased the production and mRNA expression of TSLP through the inhibition of caspase-1 and nuclear factor-κB activation. Cordycepin also significantly reduced the phosphorylation of receptor-interacting protein 2 and inhibitory kappa B (IκB) kinase β. Cordycepin significantly decreased the production and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in activated HMC-1 cells. Moreover, cordycepin significantly decreased the levels of TSLP in activated HaCaT cells. Our studies suggest that cordycepin can be applied to the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases exacerbated by TSLP.

Isoacteoside, a dihydroxypheynylethyl glycoside, is a major bioactive component of Abeliophyllum distichum (White Forsythia) which is a deciduous shrub native to the south and central areas of Korea. The present study is designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities and underlying mechanisms of isoacteoside in human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells. We isolated isoacteoside from A. distichum. The anti-inflammatory effect of isoacteoside was investigated in HMC-1 cells by studying the following markers: phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-induced interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion and mRNA expression by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. In addition, mechanism related to anti-inflammatory was investigated by Western blotting. Isoacteoside significantly suppressed the production and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells without cytotoxicity. It was found that anti-inflammatory effects of isoacteoside are mediated by action on caspase-1, mitogen-activated protein kinases (c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase) and nuclear factor-kappa B pathways. Taken together, the present findings provide new insights that isoacteoside may be a promising anti-inflammatory agent for inflammatory disorders.

Acteoside (verbascoside) is extensively distributed in Abeliophyllum distichum and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has a pivotal function in the pathogeneses of inflammatory diseases through increasing the mast cell proliferation via the activation of murine double minute 2 (MDM2). Here, we investigate whether acteoside attenuates the MDM2 expression in a TSLP-stimulated human mast cell line (HMC-1 cells). In these cells, TSLP induced the up-regulation of MDM2 and the down-regulation of p53; however, in the TSLP-stimulated HMC-1 cells, the acteoside down-regulated the MDM2 and up-regulated the p53. Increases in the phosphorylation of the single transducer and activation of transcription 6 and 5 via TSLP are decreased by acteoside. The interleukin (IL)-13 (a mast cell growth factor), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-1β levels are significantly reduced by the acteoside in the TSLP-stimulated HMC-1 cells, and the acteoside significantly induces the activation of caspase-3, the cleavage of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, and the reduction of the procaspase-3 and Bcl2. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of the TSLP receptor and IL-7 receptor that increase due to TSLP are reduced by the acteoside. In conclusion, these results indicate that acteoside is a specific regulator of MDM2 activation in TSLP-stimulated mast cells, which indicates its potential use for the treatment of mast cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Bamboo salt (BS) is a traditional Korean food, and has been reported to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-metastatic effects. However, the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) activity of BS has not been described yet. In the present study, we examined the preventive effect of BS on AD. The effect of oral administration of BS was tested in a 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD animal model, by histological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, caspase-1 assay, and Western blotting analysis. BS administration reduced the total clinical severity and scratching frequencies, compared with the AD group. In the serum of DNFB-induced AD mice, the levels of IgE, histamine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-13 were significantly reduced by BS treatment. BS significantly reduced the protein and mRNA expression of TSLP, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the AD skin lesions. BS markedly reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, the activation of caspase-1 was reduced by BS in the AD skin lesions. Our results suggested that BS should be considered as a candidate treatment for allergic inflammatory diseases including AD.

Rosmarinic acid (RA) has an anti-inflammatory property while thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has an important role in mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the regulatory effect of RA in TSLP-stimulated human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells, and short ragweed pollen-induced allergic conjunctivitis mouse model. As a result, we found that RA significantly decreased the TSLP-induced mast cell proliferation and murine double minute (MDM) 2 expression. RA significantly decreased the levels of interleukin (IL)-13 and phosphorylated the signal transducer and activation of transcription 6 in the TSLP-stimulated HMC-1 cells. RA induced the increment of p53 levels, caspase-3 activation, and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage and the reduction of the procaspase-3 and Bcl2. RA significantly reduced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 on the TSLP-stimulated HMC-1 cells. In addition, RA significantly reduced the levels of IgE, IL-4, and TSLP in the short ragweed pollen-induced allergic conjunctivitis mouse model. In conclusion, the results of the study suggest that RA has a significant anti-inflammatory effect on TSLP-induced inflammatory reactions. These effects of RA are likely to be mediated through inhibiting the MDM2 increased by TSLP.

Menopause is a significant physiological phase that occurs as women's ovaries stop producing ovum and the production of estrogen declines. Human placenta and some amino acids are known to improve menopausal symptoms. In this study, we investigated that porcine placenta extract (PPE) and arginine (Arg), a main amino acid of PPE, would have estrogenic activities in ovariectomized (OVX) mice as a menopause mouse model, human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) cells, and human osteoblast cell line (MG-63) cells. PPE or Arg significantly inhibited the body weight and increased the vagina weight compared to the OVX mice. PPE or Arg ameliorated the vaginal atrophy in the OVX mice. The levels of 17β-estradiol and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly increased by PPE or Arg in the serum of OVX mice. Trabecular bone parameters such as bone mineral density and porosity were also improved by PPE or Arg in the OVX mice. In the MCF-7 and MG-63 cells, PPE or Arg significantly increased the cell proliferation, estrogen receptor β mRNA expression, and estrogen-response elements luciferase activity. Finally, PPE or Arg increased the activations of ALP and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in the MG-63 cells. These results indicate that PPE or Arg would have estrogenic and osteoblastic activity. Therefore, PPE or Arg may be useful as new pharmacological tools for treating menopausal symptoms including osteoporosis.Free Korean abstract: A Korean translation of this abstract is freely available at http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/150/3/173/suppl/DC1.

Stillen has been used to treat patients with gastric mucosal ulcers and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is well-known that neuro-inflammatory reactions are related to depression. Here we evaluated the antidepressant-like effect of Stillen on mice subjected to the forced swimming test (FST). Stillen and eupatilin (a major component of Stillen) significantly decreased immobility times compared with the FST control group. In the Stillen-administered group, increased levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein were observed in the hippocampus. Nissl bodies also increased in the hippocampus neuronal cytoplasm of the Stillen-administered group. Stillen decreased levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (at the mRNA and protein levels) in the hippocampus and serum, compared with the control group. In addition, the mRNA expression of estrogen receptor-β increased after Stillen administration in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that Stillen should be viewed as a candidate antidepressant.

Static blood (SB) is a traditional Korean medicine disease symptom caused by a blood amassment, which refers to a pathological product of blood circulating poorly or accumulating in the interior. The growth and denaturalization of various organizations, inflammatory response and blood circulation disorder are regarded pathological conditions of SB. Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a state of excessive proliferation of the cells of the endometrium. Therefore, we suggest the EH mouse model as the experimental animal model of SB. Keywords static blood, traditional Korean medicine, experimental animal model, endometrial hyperplasia Static blood (SB) in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) SB is a pathological product of blood stagnation, including extravasated blood and the blood circulating sluggishly or blood congested in a viscus, all of which may turn into pathogenic factor, the same as blood stasis or stagnant blood. Major causes of SB are a blood heat, blood cold and bleeding caused by traumatic injury or others. Many classic medicine books introduced the symptoms of the SB are as follows; Pain (疼痛) (血證論, Tang rong chuan, 1884), chills (惡寒), fever (發熱), and alternating chills and fever (寒熱往來) (血證論, 名醫指掌·瘀血篇; 金匱要略, 婦人産後病篇, 婦人雜病篇, Zhang zhong jing, 217), abdomen fullness (腹部硬滿) (金匱要略, 驚悸吐衄篇; 讀醫隨筆, Zhou xue hai, 瘀血內熱, 1891), abdomen aggregation-accumulation (腹部積聚) (黃帝內經, Huang di, 168 BC), manic psychosis (發狂), depressive psychosis (癲狂), forgetfulness (善忘, 健忘) (傷寒論, Zhang zhong jing, 217; 諸病源候論, 卒被損瘀血候篇, Chao yuan fang, 610), thirst(口渴) (金匱要略, 驚悸吐衄下血胸滿瘀血病脈證治), bluish purple tongue and lip (靑紫舌), encrusted skin (肌膚甲錯) (諸病源候論, 卒被損瘀血候篇), etc. Although SB is a pathological product, formed SB causes various diseases including neuropsychiatric disorders (Kim, 2001), cardiovascular system disorder, musculoskeletal disorder (Lee et al., 2007), and obstetrics and gynecology diseases by disturbing blood circulation (Nam et al., 2006). Furthermore, the abnormal growth and denaturalization of various organizations and inflammatory response are regarded pathological conditions of SB.

According to the traditional Korean medicine, Dampness-heat (DH) is an abnormal state of the body that results in a pathological accumulation of dampness and heat. DH is caused by overeating fatty, sweet foods or overdrinking alcohol. Exposure to hot and humid atmospheres is another cause of DH. Although many experimental animal model on various diseases related with DH syndrome were established, DH syndrome dermatitis model is not established. Thus, we introduce the experimental animal model of the dermatitis with DH syndrome. Keywords Dampness-heat syndrome, traditional Korean medicine, experimental animal model, dermatitis Dampness-heat (DH) in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) 外感DH ( 濕熱 ) is a concept in TKM that refers to an abnormal state of the body that results in a pathological accumulation of dampness ( 濕邪 ) and heat ( 熱邪 ). The DH pattern/syndrome is a pattern/syndrome caused by a combination of dampness and heat, either of external or of internal origin, with different manifestations according to location, e.g., jaundice (Song, 2008) when the DH accumulates in the liver and gallbladder, leucorrhea (Im, 2005) various diseases related with DH syndrome. DH model is set up when the DH pours down, and diarrhea (Choi, 2007) for the DH in the intestines, atopic dermatitis for the DH on the skin (Kim, 2006), obesity (Lee, 1996) for the DH all over the body.