Effects of Nakai as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent in and Atopic Dermatitis Models.

We investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating the effects of Nakai extract (AGNE) through the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/NF-B pathway using and atopic dermatitis (AD) models. We examined the effects of AGNE on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells. Compound 48/80-induced pruritus and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene- (DNCB-) induced AD-like skin lesion mouse models were also used to investigate the antiallergic effects of AGNE.

Effect of the fragrance inhalation of essential oil from Asarum heterotropoides on depression-like behaviors in mice.

Background: Psychological stressors may cause affective disorders, such as depression and anxiety, by altering expressions of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), serotonin (5-HT), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the brain. This study investigated the effects of essential oil from Asarum heterotropoides (EOAH) on depression-like behaviors and brain expressions of CRF, 5-HT, and TH in mice challenged with stress.

Methods: Male ICR mice received fragrance inhalation of EOAH (0.

Ribes fasciculatum var. chinense Attenuated Allergic Inflammation In Vivo and In Vitro.

Ribes fasciculatum var. chinense MAX. (R.

Amyrin attenuates scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice.

Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment associated with the disruption of cholinergic neurotransmission. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of α- or β-amyrin, a type of pentacyclic triterpene, on the cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. To measure the abilities of various types of learning and memory, we conducted step-through passive avoidance task.

The ameliorative effect of sophoricoside on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in vivo and in vitro.

Sophoricoside exhibits numerous pharmacological effects, including anti- inflammatory and anti-cancer actions, yet the exact mechanism that accounts for the anti-allergic effects of sophoricoside is not completely understood. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether and how sophoricoside modulates the mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in vitro and in vivo. We investigated the pharmacological effects of sophoricoside on both compound 48/80 or histamine-induced scratching behaviors and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis in mice.

Angelica keiskei ameliorates scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice.

Memory impairment is the most common symptom in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Angelica keiskei (AK) has traditionally been used as a diuretic, laxative, analeptic and galactagogue. However, the anti-amnesic effects of AK and its molecular mechanisms have yet to be clearly elucidated.

Betula platyphylla attenuated mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in vivo and in vitro.

Aims: Betula platyphylla (B. platyphylla) has traditionally been used in Korea to treat inflammatory diseases. However, the exact mechanism that accounts for the anti-inflammatory effect of B.