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Kobayashi K, Sasaki K. Astragalus root increases Treg and Th17 involvement in embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance by decreasing CTLA-4 + Tregs. Drug Discov Ther 2024; 18:24-33. [PMID: 38382992 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2023.01100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Maintenance of pregnancy is highly dependent on the maternal immune system. High levels of regulatory T cells (Tregs) accumulate in the maternal placenta to suppress immunoreactivity against fetal antigens. We assessed whether Astragalus root (AsR) and AsR-containing Kampo medicines modulate immunoreactivity and thereby increase mouse litter size. AsR-exposed murine splenocytes exhibited significantly increased IL-2 secretion. In AsR-exposed mice, total Tregs were significantly increased, whereas cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4)-positive Tregs were decreased in AsR-exposed mice. Tregs express IL-2 receptor subunit alpha and are activated by IL-2. CTLA-4 interacts with B7 expressed in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with high affinity, and CTLA-4/B7 signaling plays a critical role in inhibiting APC activity, thereby suppressing CD4+ T cell proliferation and activation. The decrease in CTLA-4+ Tregs in AsR-exposed mice is thought to induce an increase in CD4+ T cells, leading to increased IL-2 secretion from CD4+ T cells followed by Treg activation. Th17 cells prevent trophoblast apoptosis, resulting in trophoblast invasion into the decidua. AsR increases Th17 cells, thereby inducing dose-dependent increases in litter size. Although Keishikaogito (KO)- and Ogikenchuto (OK)-exposed mice exhibited increased IL-2 secretion and splenic Tregs, KO also increased CTLA-4+ Tregs. Therefore, KO promoted immunosuppression by increasing CTLA-4+ Tregs, which induced a decrease in Th17 and exerted little effect on litter size. Therefore, an increase in both Tregs and Th17 cells can be considered necessary for embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Kobayashi
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Miyagi , Japan
| | - Kenroh Sasaki
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Miyagi , Japan
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Lee YS, Jeon H, Her YM, Lee DE, Jeong YJ, Kim EJ, Choe TH, Suh HJ, Shin SY, Park DW, Lee YG, Kang SC. Lomens-P0 (mixed extracts of Hordeum vulgare and Chrysanthemum zawadskii) regulate the expression of factors affecting premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Nutr Res Pract 2021; 15:715-731. [PMID: 34858550 PMCID: PMC8601943 DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2021.15.6.715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a disorder characterized by repeated emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms before menstruation, and the exact cause and mechanism are uncertain. Hyperprolactinemia interferes with the normal production of estrogen and progesterone, leading to PMS symptoms. Thus, we judged that the inhibition of prolactin hypersecretion could mitigate PMS symptoms. MATERIALS/METHODS Hordeum vulgare L. extract (HVE), Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum extract (CZE), and Lomens-P0 the mixture of these extracts were tested in subsequent experiments. The effect of extracts on prolactin secretion at the in vitro level was measured in GH3 cells. Nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory mediator expression were measured in RAW 264.7 cells to confirm the anti-inflammatory effect. Also, the hyperprolactinemic Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) mice model was used to measure extract effects on prolactin and hormone secretion and uterine inflammation. RESULTS Anti-inflammatory effects of and prolactin secretion suppress by HVE and CZE were confirmed through in vitro experiments (P < 0.05). Treatment with Lomens-P0 inhibited prolactin secretion (P < 0.05) and restored normal sex hormone secretion in the hyperprolactinemia mice model. In addition, extracts significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin-1β, and -6, tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 (P < 0.01). We used high-performance liquid chromatography analyses to identify tricin and chlorogenic acid as the respective components of HVE and CZE that inhibit prolactin secretion. The Lomens-P0, which includes tricin and chlorogenic acid, is expected to be effective in improving PMS symptoms in the human body. CONCLUSIONS The Lomens-P0 suppressed the prolactin secretion in hyperprolactinemia mice, normalized the sex hormone imbalance, and significantly suppressed the expression of inflammatory markers in uterine tissue. This study suggests that Lomens-P0 may have the potential to prevent or remedy materials to PMS symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Seo Lee
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea.,BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Hyelin Jeon
- BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea.,Research Institute, Genencell Co. Ltd., Yongin 16950, Korea
| | - Yang-Mi Her
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea.,BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Da Eun Lee
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | | | - Eun Jeong Kim
- Research Institute, Genencell Co. Ltd., Yongin 16950, Korea
| | - Tae Hwan Choe
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea.,BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Hee Ju Suh
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea.,BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Seung-Yeon Shin
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea.,BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Dae Won Park
- BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Yeong-Geun Lee
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea.,BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Se Chan Kang
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea.,BioMedical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
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An Overview on the Conservative Management of Endometriosis from a Naturopathic Perspective: Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10030587. [PMID: 33804660 PMCID: PMC8003677 DOI: 10.3390/plants10030587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and debilitating disease, which affects millions of young women worldwide. Although medicine has incontestably evolved in the last years, there is no common ground regarding the early and accurate diagnosis of this condition, its pathogenic mechanisms, and curative treatment. Even though the spontaneous resolution of endometriosis is sometimes possible, recent reports suggested that it can be a progressive condition. It can associate chronic pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, infertility, or malignant degenerescence. Conventional treatments could produce many side effects, and despite treatment, the symptoms may reappear. In recent years, experimental evidence suggested that plant-based medicine could exert beneficial effects on endometriosis and endometriosis-related symptoms. This study aims to highlight the pharmaceutical activity of phytochemicals and medicinal plants against endometriosis and to provide a source of information regarding the alternative treatment of this condition. Methods: For this review, we performed a research using PubMed, GoogleScholar, and CrossRef databases. We selected the articles published between January 2000 and July 2020, written in English. Results: We found 17 medicinal plants and 13 phytochemicals, which have demonstrated their beneficial effects against endometriosis. Several of their biological activities consist of antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory effects, and oxidative-stress reduction. Conclusion: Medicinal herbs and their bioactive compounds exhibit antiangiogenic, antioxidant, sedative and pain-alleviating properties and the effects recorded until now encourage their use for the conservative management of endometriosis.
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Noh S, Go A, Kim DB, Park M, Jeon HW, Kim B. Role of Antioxidant Natural Products in Management of Infertility: A Review of Their Medicinal Potential. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E957. [PMID: 33036328 PMCID: PMC7600260 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9100957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility, a couple's inability to conceive after one year of unprotected regular intercourse, is an important issue in the world. The use of natural products in the treatment of infertility has been considered as a possible alternative to conventional therapies. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and the mechanisms of various natural products on infertility. We collected articles regarding infertility and natural products using the research databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Several natural products possess antioxidant properties and androgenic activities on productive factors and hormones. Antioxidants are the first defense barrier against free radicals produced by oxidative stress (OS). They remove reactive oxygen stress (ROS), reducing insulin resistance, total cholesterol, fat accumulation, and cancer growth. Moreover, various natural products increase endometrial receptivity and fertility ability showing androgenic activities on productive factors and hormones. For example, Angelica keiskei powder and Astragalus mongholicus extract showed anti-infertility efficacies in males and females, respectively. On the other hand, adverse effects and acute toxicity of natural products were also reported. Tripterygium glycoside decreased fertility ability both in males and females. Results indicate that management of infertility with natural products could be beneficial with further clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjin Noh
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Ara Go
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Da Bin Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Minjeong Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Hee Won Jeon
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea;
| | - Bonglee Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea;
- Korean Medicine-Based Drug Repositioning Cancer Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea
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