Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines through inhibition of the NF-kappaB/IkappaB signal pathway in HMC-1 human mast cells.

The rhizome of Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi (AJK) has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of arthritis, bronchitis and respiratory infectious disease, whereas its effects on inflammatory reactions have not been unknown recently. In this study, the effects of AJK on allergic inflammation and its signaling were investigated in the induced human mast cells and animal model. This study showed that ethanol extract of AJK interestingly suppressed the production and mRNA expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8, as important inflammatory cytokines.

Inhibitory effects of Paeonia suffruticosa on allergic reactions by inhibiting the NF-kappaB/I kappaB-alpha signaling pathway and phosphorylation of ERK in an animal model and human mast cells.

The root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (PSA), also known as Moutan Cortex, is known to have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigates the effect and mechanism of PSA by in vivo and in vitro methods. Treatings the root cortex from PSA with up to 0.

Early antiallergic inflammatory effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes on human mast cells.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) is a traditional medicine used in Korea, Japan and China to treat various diseases including catharsis, diaphoretic gastritis and stomach cancer. However, the effects of RVS on allergic inflammatory diseases are unknown to date. This study showed the antiallergic inflammatory effects of RVS on human mast cells (HMC-1) which were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187.

Sophora flavescens Aiton inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of the NF kappaB/IkappaB signal pathway in human mast cell line (HMC-1).

The dried roots of Sophora flavescens Aiton (SFA) has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of inflammation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, diarrhea, and asthma. In the present study, we investigated the effect of SFA on the inflammatory allergic reaction using human mast cell-1 (HMC-1). SFA (200mg/kg) inhibited the mast cell-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in vivo and the release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells by compound 48/80.

Inhibition of the PI3K-Akt/PKB survival pathway enhanced an ethanol extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes-induced apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway in AGS gastric cancer cell lines.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has been used in traditional Eastern Asia medicine for the treatment of gastritis and stomach cancer, although the mechanism for its biological activity remains to be elucidated. We previously established that an ethanol extract of RVS-induced G(1)-cell cycle arrest via accumulation of p27(Kip1) controlled by Skp2 reduction and apoptosis in AGS human gastric cancer cells. Here, we showed that an ethanol extract of RVS-induced apoptosis via caspase-9 activation (mitochondrial death pathway) is mediated by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, Deltapsi(m)) and the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondrial intermembrane space.

Protective effect of a phenolic-rich fraction from Schisandra chinensis against H2O2-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells.

We have investigated the neuroprotective effects of a phenolic-rich fraction (PRF) on the hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced apoptosis of cultured SH-SY5Y cells. The PRF was obtained from the 80% ethanol extract of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis by Sepabeads SP-850 column chromatography. Cell viability assays revealed that pretreating SH-SY5Y cells with PRF (10-200 mugmL(-1)) resulted in significant dose-dependent protection against H(2)O(2)-induced cell death.

Phenolic-rich fraction from Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) suppress inflammatory response via NF-kappaB and JNK pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages.

The effects of phenolic-rich fraction (PRF) from Rhus verniciflua Stokes (Anacardiaceae) on the activities of cellular signaling molecules that mediate inflammatory responses in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were investigated. At various concentrations of PRF significantly inhibited NO, PGE(2) and TNF-alpha production in LPS-induced RAW 264.

Antihyperglycemic activity of herb extracts on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

We investigated the effects of herb extracts, Rhus verniciflua, Agrimonia pilosa, Sophora japonica, and Paeonia suffruticosa, on the lowering of blood glucose levels and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. After 4 weeks, oral administration of Rhus verniciflua extract (50 mg/kg) exhibited a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (P<0.05).

Inhibition of cell cycle progression via p27Kip1 upregulation and apoptosis induction by an ethanol extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes in AGS gastric cancer cells.

Botanical preparations are widely used by patient with cancer in Korea, Japan and China. Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has traditionally been used as a medicinal ingredient for the therapy of stomach and uterine cancer. In this study, we showed that exposure to an ethanol extract of RVS (50 microg/ml) resulted in a synergistic inhibitory effect on cell growth in AGS cells.

Comparative proteomic analysis of Helicobacter pylori strains associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Helicobacter pylori is known to cause chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer, and has also been linked to iron deficiency anemia (IDA). To determine whether H. pylori clinical isolates correlate with the prevalence of H.