열성 경련 환아의 뇌척수액내 Prostaglandin E-2값 변화

최병준(Byung-Joon Choi),황경태(Kyung-Tai Whang) 대한소아신경학회 1998 대한소아신경학회지 Vol.5 No.2

목적 : PG는 모든 조직에 존재하여 생물학적으로 상당히 광범위한 역할을 한다. 특히 중추신경계에서는 생리적인 환경에서 소량 존재하나 여러 가지 자극(고체온, 열성 감염, 뇌졸중, 정신분열증 및 간질)후에는 PG가 상당히 현격하게 증가한다. 따라서 저자들은 열성 경련 환아에서 뇌철수액내의 PGE-2를 정량하여 어떤 변화가 있는지를 살펴보았다.방법 : 가톨릭 의과대학 부속병원에서 초회의 단순 열성 경련을 주소로 내원한 만 6개월에서 만 5세 사이의 환 57명과 경련없이 열을 주소로 입원한 같은 연령군 환아 24명을 대상으로 하였고, 대조군은 열이 없는 환아 7명이었다. 모든 환아에서 척수 천자를 시행하였고 열성 경련 환아는 경련 후 48시간 이내에 뇌척수액을 채취하여 -30℃로 냉장 보관후 방사 면역 측정법(Prostaglandin E₂[125I] assay system, Biotra Assays, Amersham Inc.)으로 검사하였다. 결과 : 1) 열성 경련 환아의 뇌척수액내 PGE-2의 값은 147.3±79.3pg/ml로 경련없이 열만 있었던 군의 72.4±75.4pg/ml에 비하여 2.0배 높았고 열이 없는 대조군의 19.2±28.4pg/ml 보다는 7.7배 높았으며 이는 통계학적으로 의의가 있었다. 2) 발열 및 연력과 뇌척수액네 PGE-2의 값과는 통계적으로 의미가 없었다. 3) 열성 경련환아에서 4시간 이내에 채취한 PGE-2의 값은 176.5±65.7pg/ml로 4시간 이후에 채취한 군의 93.3±74.9pg/ml 보다 높은 값을 보였다.(p<0.05) 결론 : 열성 경련 환아의 뇌척수액내 PGE-2의 값은 열이 없는 대조군에 비해 높았고 경련없이 열만 있는 군에 비해서도 높았다. 특히 열성 경련 환아의 뇌척수액을 경련 후 4시간 이내 채취하였을 때 PGE-2의 값이 경련 후 4시간 이후에 채취한 뇌척수액에서 얻은 값에 비해 더욱 높았음을 알 수 있다. Purpose : Prostaglandins(PGs) are known to produce a remarkably broad spectrum of effects that embraces practically every biological function, and has a particular physiological role in the central nervous system. Significant increases of PGs levels are seen in certain diseases, such as febrile infection, stroke, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Prostaglandin is also increased in a response to rising body temperature, and prostaglandin E-2(PGE-2) in lumber cerebrospinal fluid is also increased in febrile convulsion. Intracerebroventricular injection of PGE produces a rise in body temperature and also antagonizes convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole, penicillin, electric shock. Therefore we studied PGE-2 levels in cerebrospinal fluid of afebrile children, children with febrile convulsion, and fevrile children without convulsion. Methods : The subjects comprised 57 cases with febrile convulsion, 24 cases of afebrile diseases and 9 febrile children without convulsion. All patients were undergoing lumbar puncture and PGE-2 levels in CSF were determined by highly specific radioimmunoassay(Prostaglandin E₂[125I]assay system, Biotra Assays, Amersham Inc.). Results : 1) The CSF PGE-2 levels were significantly higher in children with febrile convulsion(147.3±79.3pg/ml) than those in febrile children without convulsion(72.4±75.4pg/ml) and afebrile children(19.2±28.4pg/ml)(p<0.05) 2) There were no statistical significances of the CSF PGE-2 levels between age and fever in both groups. 3) The CSF PGE-2 levels within 4 hours(176.5±65.7pg/ml) after convulsions were significantly higher than those 4 hours after convulsion(93.3±74.9pg/ml). Conclusion : The CSF PGE-2 levels were significantly higher in children with febrile convulsion than those in febrile children without convulsion and those in afebrile children. The CSF PGE-2 levels within 4 hours after convulsion were significantly higher than those 4 hours after convulsion.

Prostaglandin E_2 와 Phorbol Myristate Acetate가 조골세포의 활성에 미치는 영향

김형룡,김장숙 원광대학교 생체재료·매식연구소 1996 원광생체재료·매식 Vol.5 No.2

PGE_2 has both anabolic and catabolic activities. Excess levels of PGE_2 have been implicated in a number of pathological states associated with bone loss such as a number of chronic inflammatory conditions such as periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. PGE_2 and other arachidonic acid metabolites have been shown to be potent stimulators of osteoclastic bone resorption in organ culture. The anabolic effects of PGE_2 were first noticed when an increase in periosteal woven bone formation was seen after the infusion of PGE_2 into infants in order to prevent closure of the ductus arteriosus. The cellular basis for the catabolic actions of PGE_2 has been well characterized. PGE_2 increases osteoclast recruitment in bone marrow cell cultures. PGE_2 also has a direct action on osteoclast serving to inhibit activity and can also indirectly activate osteoclast via other cells in the vicinity, presumably osteoblast. PKC was reported to be involved in the action of osteotropic hormones. PTH primarily affects osteoblasts and increases irrtracellular cAMP level, and PTH-stimulated osteoblasts may produce and release the substances that activate osteoclasts. PKC may mediate the action of PTH in osteoblasts. Moreover, PKC increase the number of receptors for 1,25-(OH)_2D_3 in the osteoblasts. The purpose of this paper is to study the actions of PGE_2 and PMA on osteoblastic clone MC3T3E1 cells. The effect of PMA and PGE_2 on the induction of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) was investigated in osteoblastic clone MC3T3E1 cells clutured in medium containing 04% fetal bovine serum. PMA and PGE_2 stimulated ALP activity and MTT assay in the cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 10-500ng/ml. Cycloheximide, protein synthesis inhibitor, inhibited the stimulative effect of PGE_2 and PMA on ALP activiy in the cells. PGE_2 also increased the intracellular cAMP content in a dose-dependent fashion with a maximal effect at 500ng/ml. Our present results suggest that PGE_2 stimulate the differentiation of osteooblasts and are involved in bone formation in vivo, as well as in bone resorption.

Cyclic AMP analog와 PGE2가 마우스 조골세포의 활성에 미치는 영향

김형룡,김장숙 원광대학교 생체재료·매식연구소 1996 원광생체재료·매식 Vol.5 No.2

To maintain its functional integrity, bone is continuously remodelled by a process involving resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In order to respond to changes in the physical environment or to trauma with the relevant action, this process is strictly regulated by locally synthesized or systemic fators. Prostaglandin E_2(PGE_2) is perhaps one of the best studied of these factors, having been known to affect bone cell function for several decades. PGE_2 has both anabolic and catabolic activities. Excess levels of PGE_2 have been implicated in a number of pathological states associated with bone loss such as a number of chronic inflammatory conditions such as periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. PGE_2 and other arachidonic acid metabolites have been shown to be potent stimulators of osteoclastic bone resorption in organ culture. The anabolic effects of PGE_2 were first noticed when an increase in periosteal woven bone formation was seen after the infusion of PGE_2 into infants in order to prevent closure of the ductus arteriosus. The cellular basis for the catabolic actions of PGE_2 has been well characterized. PGE_2 increase osteoclast recruitment in bone marrow cell cultures. PGE_2 also has a direct action on osteoclast serving to inhibit activity and can also indirectly activate osteoclast via other cells in the vicinity, presumably osteoblast. The cellular mechanisms for the anabolic actions of PGE_2 are not nearly so well understood. The purpose of this paper is to study the anabolic actions of PGE_2 on osteoblastic clone MC3T3E1 cells. The effects of DBcAMP and PGE_2 on the induction of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) was investigated in osteoblastic clone MC3T3E1 cells cultured in medium containing 0.4% fetal bovine serum. DBcAMP and PGE_2 stimulated ALP activity and MTT assay in the cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 10-500ng/ml. Cycloheximide, protein synthesis inhibitor, inhibited the stimulative effect of PGE_2 and DBcAMP on ALP activity in the cells. PGE_2 also increased the intracellular cAMP content in a dose-dependent fashion with a maximal effect at 500ng/ml. Our present results suggest that PGE_2 stimulate the differentiation of osteoblasts and are involved in bone formation in vivo, as well as in bone resorption.

유도 분만에서 ProstaglandinE2의 경관내 삽입 및 질좌제의 임상적 효과 비교

상미란(Mi Lan Sang),권용일(Yong Il Kwon),박태철(Tae Chul Park),권동진(Dong Jin Kwon),이용석(Yong Suk Lee),배태욱(Tae Wook Bae),이진우(Jin Woo Lee),김수평(Su Pyung Kim) 대한산부인과학회 1999 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.42 No.10

목적: 임신말기 유도 분만에 있어 Parity 및 Bishop-score에 따라 endocervical PGE2 및 vaginal PGE2의 임상적 효과를 비교하여 endocervical PGE2가 경관 숙화 및 분만유도에 더 효과적이라고 판단되어 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방법: 1998년 3월부터 9월까지 가톨릭 대학교 부속 의정부 성모병원 산부인과에 입원한 65명 산모를 대상으로 무작위로 추출하여 Parity 및 Bishop-score에 따라 3mg Dinoprostone을 경관내 및 질 후원개부위에 8시간 간격으로 최고 3개까지 삽입하여 규칙적인 진통이 유발될때까지 시행하였다. 결과: endocervical PGE2가 경관숙화 및 분만유도에 있어 더 확연한 효과를 보였다. 나이, 임신주수, 분만력, 초기 경관숙화정도는 두 군에 차이가 없었고 제왕절개율, 태아가사, 자궁과수축, 부작용도 차이가 없었다. 진통시작까지 걸린 시간에서 경산부에서 endocervical PGE2를 삽입한 경우가 다른 군보다 유의하게(p=0.0195) 짧았고 active labor까지 가는데 걸리는 시간은 초산부에서 endocervical PGE2를 삽입한 경우가 다른군보다 유의하게(p=0.0245) 짧았다. 또한 경산부에서 진통 시작까지 걸린 시간과 active labor까지 가는데 걸리는 시간, B-score 8점까지 되는데 걸린시간이 통계적으로 유의하게 짧았다. 요소간 분석을 보면 분만력, oxytocin등이 영향을 미칠 수 있고 그 중 투여방법이 가장 중요한 요인으로 추정되었다. 결론: 본 실험에서 경관 숙화가 안된 경우에 유도분만에 있어서 PGE2의 경관내 주입이 질정보다 효과가 좋으며 태아곤란증이나 제왕 절개분만, 신생아에 대한 영향에 차이가 없는 것으로 종합하여 보면 PGE2의 경관내 투여는 권장할 만한 가치가 있으며, 효과적인 유도분만에 유용하리라 사료된다. Objectives: The trial was performed to obtain an unbiased comparison of the relative merits of endocervical and vaginal prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in the case of parous and nulliparous woman with favorable and unfavorable cervical features. This study was performed to determine the clinical usefullness of endocervical PGE2 comparing with the vaginal PGE2 in cervical ripening and induction of labor. Method: The randomized trial with 65 Participants was performed with sealed envelopes for parity and Bishop score (from March to september, 1998). PGE2 tablet(3mg Dinoprostone) was administrated intravaginally to the 32 pregnant women and endocervically to the 33 pregnant women every eight hours with maximum three times until the regular labor develped. Result: Outcomes of labor and delivery were clearly related to cervical score at trial entry. endocerval PGE2 had a more marked effect on cervical ripeness than did vaginal PGE2. There were no significant differences on age distribution, gestatioanal period, primiparity, cervical status, initial B-score in each group. There were no significant differences in cesarian section rate, fetal distress, uterine hyperstimulation, side effect and poor infant outcome between the groups The mean induction time was statistically shorter in cervical group with multiparous women than other group(p=0.0195). In the induction-active labor time, cervical with primi group was statistically shorter than other group(p=0.0245). Statistically significant differences were noted between the nulliparous woman and multiparous women in mean induction time, induction-active labor time, time to B-score 8. In the factor that effects induction-active labor, route was significantly better than other factor.(p=0.0001) Conclusion: edocervical PGE2 is more effctive than vaginal PGE2 in cervical ripening and induction of active labor. the endocervical PGE2 resulted in a significantly shorter induction to active labor time compared with vaginal PGE2 and has almost no side effect. Because differences in effectiveness between endocervical and vaginal PGE2 are marginal, preference of woman and clinicians can the choice between them.

경구 Prostaglandin E₂의 자궁경관 숙화효과에 관한 연구

임완희(WH Lim),윤정희(JH Yoon),한선남(SN Han),박둘임(Dl Park),민보은(BE Min) 대한산부인과학회 1983 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.26 No.12

초산 47예와 경산 38예의 자궁경관이 불량했던 산모를 대상으로 유도분만전 PGE₂ 경구투여에 의한 이중 맹검범을 실시하여 얻은 결론은 다음과 같다. 1. 경구 PGE₂투여는 조산 및 경산에서 우수한 자궁경관 숙화효과가 있다. a) 숙화기후 개선된 Bishops score ; 초산 PGE₂군 : 2.54(p<0.01), 초산 placebo군: 0.70(p>0.05), 경산 PGE₂군 : 3.30%(p<0.01), 경산 placebo군 : 1.78(p<0.01) b) Bishops score 2점 이상 개선된 예 초산 : PGE₂군 75% placebo군 13.0% (p<0.01), 경산PGE₂군 70% placebo군 38.9% (p<0.1). 2. 초산 및 경산의 PGE₂ 경구투여는 숙화기동안 일부에서 유효진통을 유발한다. 초산 : PGE₂군 20.8%. placebo군 0%(p<0.05), 경산 : PGE₂군 40.0%, plaebo군 5.6%(p<0.05) 3. 초산에서 유도분만전 PGE₂ 경구투여도 자궁경관을 숙화시켰던 군은 placebo군보다 재왕절개술율이 낮고, 총 질식분만율이 높다. a) 제왕절개술율 초산 : PGE₂군 20.8%, placebo군 55.5%(p<0.05). 경산 : PGE₂군 10.0%, placebo군 22.2%(p<0.1) b) 총 질식분만율 초산 : PGE₂군 79.2%, placebo군 43.5%(p<0.05) 경산 : PGE₂군 90.0%, placebo군 77.8%(p<0.1) c) 정상분만율 초산 : PGE₂군 54.2%, placebo군 26.1%(p<0.05), 경산 : PGE₂군 90.0%, placebo군 72.2%(p<0.1) 4) 다음의 결과에 의하면 경산의 자궁경관 상태는 양막경검사나 내진같은 기계적 자극으로 보다 쉽게 개선된다고 생각되며, 따라서 Bishops score는 경산보다 초산에서 유도분만 성공의 예후에 더 큰 의의를 갖는다. a) 숙화기후 Bishops score개선도 : 초산 placebo군 : 0.7(p>0.05) 경산 placebo군 : 1.78(p<0.01) b) Bishops score 2점이상 개선된 예, placebo군 : 초산 13%, 경산 38.9% (p<0.01) d) 인공파수후 유효진통이 시작된 예 placebo군 : 초산 13%, 경산 41.2%(p<0.05) d) 경산에서는 총 질식훈만을. 정상분만율, 제왕절개술율 등이 PGE₂군과 placebo군 사이에 유의차가 없는 반면(p>0.1) 초산에서는 placebo군보다 PGE₂군이 제왕절개술율이 낮고 총질식분만율 및 정상분만율이 높았다(p<0. 05). 5. 경구 PGE₂에 의한 자궁경관 숙화는 syntocin의 필요도나 syntocin 정주 소요시간을 감소시키지 못했다. 6. 분만과정 및 태아에 미치는 부작용이 없었고, 산후출혈의 빈도도 높이지 않았다. 요악하면 Bishops score는 경산보다 초산에서 유도 분만 성공의 예후에 더 중요한 인자이나, 초산과 경산에서 A double blind study was designed to evaluate the priming effect of oral PGE₂ on the uterine cervix prior to induction in both primipara and multipara in whom the cervix was considered unfavourable for induction. The patients were selected from women who were admitted for induction at Il Sin Womens Hospital during the 11months from August 1981 to June 1982. In all women Bishops score of the cervix was less than 6 but there were definite indications for induction. 38 of the women had already had one delivery and 47 were being induced prior to their first delivery. Oral PGE₂, 0.5mg tablets were given qlh by 6 times 8-10hrs prior to induction by amniotomy and then syntocin drip if necessary. The results are as follows : 1. Oral PGE₂ had a good priming effect on the uterin cervix in both primipara and multipara. This was shown in a) An increase in Bishops score after the priming phase primipara PGE₂ group : 2.54 points (p<0.01). primipara placebo group ; 0.70 points (p>0.05) multipara PGE₂ group; 3.30 points (p<0.01) multipara placebo group; 1.78 points (p<0.01). b) An increase of Bishops score, 2 points or more primipara ; PGE₂, group 75%, placebo group 13%, (p<0.01). multipara ; PGE₂ group 70%, placebo group 38.9% (p<0.1). 2. Active labour was induced during the priming phase with oral PGE₂ a) primipara ; PGE₂ group 20.8%, placebo group 0% (p<0.05) b) multipara; PGE₂ group 40%, placebo group 5.6% (p<0.05). 3. In primipara the group who had preinduction priming with PGE₂ had a lower rate of cesarean section delivery, and a higher rate of total vagin31 deliveries and normal delivery compared to the placebo group. a) Rate of cesarean section; primipara; PGE₂ group 20.8%, placebo groups 56. 5% (p<0.05) multipara; PEG2 group 10.0%, placebo group 22.2% (q>0.1) b) Rate of total vaginal deliveries; primipara; PGE₂ group 79.2%, placebo group 43.5% (p<0.05) multipara ; PEG2 group 90.0%, placebo group 77.8% (p>0.l) c) Rate of normal deliveries; primipara; PGE₂ group 54.2%, placebo group 26.1% (p<0.05) mult

위암 환자의 혈장 Prostaglandin E₂농도에 관한 연구

공경엽,이선경 대한병리학회 1990 Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine Vol.24 No.4

배양된 인간영양배엽세포에서 PGE2 와 Prostacyclin 이 혈관내피 성장인자와 염기성 섬유아세포 성장인자의 발현에 미치는 영향

노성래(Sung Rae Roh),김동주(Dong Joo Kim),안현영(Hyun Young Ahn),강미지(Mi Ji Kang),이방현(Bang Hyun Lee),이지현(Ji Hyun Lee),오민정(Min Jeong Oh),신종철(Jong Chul Shin),김수평(Soo Pyung Kim) 대한산부인과학회 2001 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.44 No.8

N/A Background : Several angiogenic factors such as bFGF and VEGF have been shown angiogenesis of placenta. PGE2 and PGI2 may be important in successful establishment of pregnancy. Objective : We studied to investigate whether PGE2 and PGI2 regulate expression of VEGF and bFGF gene in the cultured human trophoblast cells. Methods : Human trophoblasts were isolated from the placenta of early gestation (6-12 weeks). Isolated trophoblasts were cultured in the different concentration of PGE2 and PGI2 and according to the different cultured time of PGE2 and PGI2, respectively. Total RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed. Result : Expression of bFGF was increased in 10-7M and 10-6M of PGE2 and was always increased in the all different concentration of PGI2. Four isoforms (VEGF121, VEGF165, VEGF189, VEGF206) were always expressed in the all different PGE2 and PGI2 concentration compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in the all different PGE2 and PGI2 concentration. In both PGE2 and PGI2 treatment group, expression of bFGF was decreased at 60 min compared to the control group and was gradually increased in time-dependent pattern. At 180 min, its expression was similar to the control group. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the expression of bFGF gene is influenced by cultured time and concentration of PGE2 and PGI2, although the expression of VEGF gene is not influenced.

NF-κB 저해를 통한 브로콜리 잎 추출물의 PGE₂ 저해효과

박숙자 ( Sook Jahr Park ),안이슬 ( Iseul An ),노규표 ( Gyu Pyo Noh ),유병혁 ( Byung Hyuk Yoo ),이종록 ( Jong Rok Lee ) 대한본초학회 2019 大韓本草學會誌 Vol.34 No.6

Objective : Broccoli is edible green plant that has a wide variety of health benefits including cancer prevention and cholesterol reduction. However, leaves of broccoli are not eaten and are mostly left as waste. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the broccoli leaf extract (BLE) on prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production related to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Methods : BLE was prepared by extracting dried leaf with ethanol. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5- Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. PGE₂ and inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression level of each protein was monitored by Western blot analysis. Results : In LPS-activated Raw264.7 cells, PGE₂ release into culture medium was dramatically enhanced compared to control cells. However, increased PGE₂ was attenuated dose-dependently by treatment with BLE. Inhibition of PGE₂ production by BLE was due to the suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression determined by Western blot analysis. BLE also inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Inhibition at PGE₂ and cytokine was mediated from inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-κB due to the repression of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκBα) phosphorylation and degradation. Conclusion : This study showed that BLE exerted inhibitory activities against PGE₂, which is critical for the initiation and resolution of inflammatory responses, and that inhibition of PGE₂ was mediated by suppression of NF-κB signaling. These results suggest that the waste broccoli leaves could be used for controlling inflammation.

Treatment with ultra-dilutions of Arnica montana increases COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion in mouse chondrocytes

Yun Kyu Kim,Myeong Gu Yeo 한국융합학회 2019 한국융합학회논문지 Vol.10 No.2

연구목적 : 4x, 30x, 30c, and 200c 농도의 동종약물 Arnica montana (A. montana)를 1차 배양된 생쥐 연골세포에 적용하여 염증관련 인자의 변화를 관찰하고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 본 연구는 collagen type II (Coll-2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) 발현 그리고 prostaglandin 2 (PGE2) 분비에 대해 조사하였다. 결과: 4x, 30x 그리고 30c의 A. montana를 처리하였을 때, Coll-2의 mRNA 발현이 감소하였으며, 30x A. montana의 경우 COX-2 mRNA의 발현이 증가하였다. 또한 COX-2 단백질 발현은 30x와 30c의 A. montana 처리 시 증가함을 보였다. PGE2 분비 또한 30c에서 증가함을 관찰하였다. 결론 : A. montana 처리에 따라 생쥐의 연골세포의 분화 억제를 확인하였으며, 염증관련 인자인 COX-2 및 PGE2의 발현이 증가함을 확인하였다. Objective: We studied the effects of 4x, 30x, 30c, and 200c homeopathic dilutions of A. montana on inflammation in primary cultured mouse chondrocytes. Methods: Examined expression of Coll-2 and COX-2, and secretion of PGE2. Results: Treatment with 4x, 30x, and 30c A. montana decreased mRNA expression of Coll-2 and 30x A. montana increased mRNA expression of COX-2, while treatment with 30x and 30c A. montana increased protein expression of COX-2. Treatment with the 30c A. montana increased release of PGE2. Conclusion: Treatment with A. montana induces dedifferentiation and inflammatory responses, including increased COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion.

Thymoquinone (TQ) regulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production through PI3kinase (PI3K)/p38 kinase pathway in human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231

Yu, Seon-Mi,Kim, Song-Ja The Korean Society for Integrative Biology 2012 Animal cells and systems Vol.16 No.4

Thymoquinone (TQ), a drug extracted from the black seeds of Nigella sativa, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-neoplastic effects in numerous cancer cells. The effects of TQ on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production in MDA-MB-231, however, remain poorly understood. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were performed to study the expression levels of inflammation regulatory proteins in MDA-MB-231. $PGE_2$ assay was conducted to explore the TQ-induced production of $PGE_2$. In this study, we investigated the effects of TQ on COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production in MDA-MB-231. TQ significantly induced COX-2 expression and increased $PGE_2$ production in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by a Western blot analysis and $PGE_2$ assay. Furthermore, the activation of Akt and p38 kinase, respectively, was up-regulated in TQ treated cells. Inhibition of p38 kinase with SB203580 and PI3kinase (PI3K) with LY294002 abolished TQ-caused COX-2 expression and decreased $PGE_2$ production. These results collectively demonstrate that TQ effectively modulates COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production via PI3K and p38 kinase pathways in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.