ABSTRACT
The immune-enhancing activity of the combination of Platycodon grandiflorum and Salvia plebeian extracts (PGSP) was evaluated through macrophage activation using RAW264.7 cells. PGSP (250-1000 µg/mL) showed a higher release of NO in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that PGSP could significantly stimulate the production of PGE2, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells and promote iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-4, and IL-6 mRNA expression. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 and the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38, and NF-κB p65 were greatly increased in PGSP-treated cells. PGSP also promoted the phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells. All these results indicated that PGSP might activate macrophages through MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Taken together, PGSP may be considered to have immune-enhancing activity and might be used as a potential immune-enhancing agent.
Subject(s)
Platycodon , Salvia , Animals , Mice , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Platycodon/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism , Salvia/metabolism , Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics , Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism , Interleukin-6/genetics , Cytokines/genetics , Cytokines/metabolism , RAW 264.7 Cells , LipopolysaccharidesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC 12), which assesses behavioral and experienced stigma, has not been translated into Korean. We developed and standardized the Korean version of the DISC 12 (DISC 12-K) in patients with depressive disorders. METHODS: The study included 230 patients with depressive disorders who were assessed on the four subscales of the DISC 12-K: Unfair Treatment, Stopping Self, Overcoming Stigma, and Positive Treatment. Additionally, stigma was assessed using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale, depressive symptoms using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Depression Inventory, level of functioning using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale, self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and quality of life was assessed using the EuroQol-5D. The reliability of DISC 12 was assessed by internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and estimating the intercorrelation of items and corrected item-total correlations; interrater reliability and test-retest reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients at the item and subscale levels; and the concurrent validity of the DISC 12-K relative to the other assessment scales was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: All of the DISC 12-K subscales had high reliability. The validity was good for the Unfair Treatment and Stopping Self subscales, but only fair for the Overcoming Stigma and Positive Treatment subscales. CONCLUSION: The Unfair Treatment and Stopping Self subscales of the new DISC 12-K are reliable and valid measures of stigma in patients with depressive disorders. Future studies are needed to test the validity of this scale in other mental disorders.
