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Background: Panax ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for various pathological conditions. Ginsenoyne C (GSC) is a polyacetylene, minor constituent. Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the anti-inflammatory activities of GSC for the protection of inflammation. Materials and Methods: The effects of GSC on cell viability and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–induced RAW 264.7 cells were investigated through MTT assay and the Griess reaction, respectively. The levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL-1β) and IL-6 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pERK were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results: GSC suppressed NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. GSC suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators through downregulating phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinases signaling in LPS-induced RAW 264.7. Conclusion: GSC has a potential therapeutic agent for protection of inflammation. Abbreviation used: CCK: Cell counting kit; COX-2: Cyclooxygenase-2; ELISA: Enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay; ERK: Extracellular regulated kinases; FBS: Fetal bovine serum; FEG: Fermented ginseng extract; GSC: Ginsenoyne C; IL: Interleukin; iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase; LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; MAPK: Mitogen-activated protein kinases; NO: Nitric oxide; PVDF: Polyvinylidene difluoride; SDS-PAGE: Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basophils and mast cells are specialized effector cells in allergic reactions. Haliotis discus hannai (abalone), is valuable seafood. Abalone male viscera, which has a brownish color and has not been previously reported to show anti-allergic activities, was extracted with acetone. Six different acetone/hexane fractions (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 100%) were obtained using a silica column via β-hexosaminidase release inhibitory activity-guided selection in phorbol myristate acetate and a calcium ionophore, A23187 (PMACI)-induced human basophils, KU812F cells. The 40% acetone/hexane fraction (A40) exhibited the strongest inhibition of PMACI-induced-β-hexosaminidase release. This fraction dose-dependently inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium mobilization without cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis revealed that A40 down-regulated PMACI-induced MAPK (ERK 1/2, p-38, and JNK) phosphorylation, and the NF-κB translocation from the cytosol to membrane. Moreover, A40 inhibited PMACI-induced interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 production. Anti-allergic activities of A40 were confirmed based on inhibitory effects on IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in compound (com) 48/80-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. A40 inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and cytokine production such as IL-4 and TNF-α produced by com 48/80-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, it's fraction attenuated the IgE/DNP-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in the ears of BALB/c mice. Our results suggest that abalone contains the active fraction, A40 is a potent therapeutic and functional material to treat allergic diseases.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and involves secretion of inflammatory mediators. The flavone diglycoside hispidulin-7- O -neohesperidoside (HN) isolated from the methanolic extract of aerial parts of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense , but its pharmacologic activities, with the exception of alleviation of alcohol toxicity, have not been investigated to date., Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of HN for the treatment of chronic inflammatory illnesses, including IBD., Materials and Methods: In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells and HT-29 cells, the effects of HN on cell viability and nitric oxide (NO) production were examined via MTT assay and the Griess reaction, respectively. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting, respectively., Results: HN concentration-dependently inhibited NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with HN considerably downregulated the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and TNF-α and the iNOS protein level in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, HN inhibited the production of the chemotactic cytokine, IL-8, in LPS-induced HT-29 cells., Conclusion: HN has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent to prevent and/or treat IBD., Summary: Hispidulin-7- O -neohesperidoside (HN) is flavone diglycoside isolated from the methanolic extract of aerial parts of Cirsium japonicum var . ussuriense.HN concentration-dependently inhibited NO production and considerably downregulated the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and TNF-α, and the iNOS protein level in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.HN inhibited the production of the chemotactic cytokine, IL-8, in LPS-induced HT-29 cells.HN has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent to prevent and/or treat IBD. Abbreviations used: IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease, HN: hispidulin-7- O -neohesperidoside, LPS: lipopolysaccharide, NO: nitric oxide, IL: interleukin, TNF: tumor necrosis factor, iNOS: inducible nitric oxide synthase, CD: Crohn's disease, UC: ulcerative colitis, RT: room temperature, DMEM: Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, FBS: fetal bovine serum, PBS: phosphate buffered saline, SDS: sodium dodecyl sulfate, PVDF: polyvinylidene difluoride, SD: standard deviation., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Mast cells and basophils are important effector cells in immunoglobulin-E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions. Using the human basophilic KU812F cells, we assessed the inhibitory effects of 6-methoxyluteolin, isolated from Chrysanthemum zawadskii, in the FcεRI-mediated allergic reaction. We determined that 6-methoxyluteolin inhibited anti-FcεRI α chain antibody (CRA-1)-induced histamine release, as well as elevation of intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of 6-methoxyluteolin on the cell surface expression and the mRNA level of the FcεRI α chain were determined by flow cytometric analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR), respectively. Therefore, these results show that 6- methoxyluteolin is a potent inhibitor of histamine release and calcium influx via down-regulation of the FcεRI α chain.