Crocus sativus L. Extract (Saffron) Effectively Reduces Arthritic and Inflammatory Parameters in Monotherapy and in Combination with Methotrexate in Adjuvant Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, is characterized by inflammation that affects not only the liver but also other organs and the musculoskeletal system. The standard therapy for RA is methotrexate (MTX), which has safety limitations. The extract from Crocus sativus L. (saffron-SF) is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we decided to investigate the potential benefit of SF in monotherapy via two doses (SF1-25 mg/kg of b.w.; SF2-50 mg/kg of b.w.) and in combination with MTX (0.3 mg/kg of b.w., twice a week) using adjuvant arthritis in rats. To evaluate these therapeutic settings, we used biometric, immunological, and biochemical parameters, as well as the relative gene expression of the mRNA in the liver. Our results showed a statistically significant increase in the experimental animals' body weight and the arthritic score (AS) on day 14 for monotherapy with SF1 and SF2. The change of hind paw volume (CHPV) was significant only for SF2 monotherapy on the 14th day of the experiment. A combination of SF1 and SF2 with MTX significantly modulated all the biometric parameters during the experimental period. Additionally, AS and CHPV improved considerably compared to MTX monotherapy on day 21. Furthermore, all monotherapies and combination therapies were significant for the biochemical parameter γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the joint. GGT activity in the spleen was less pronounced; only MTX in combination with SF1 significantly modified this parameter. The higher dose of SF monotherapy (SF2) was similarly significant with respect to immunological parameters, such as plasmatic IL-17A, IL-1ß, and MMP-9 on day 21. The combination of both doses of SF with MTX significantly improved these immunological parameters, except for C-reactive protein (CRP), which was influenced only by the higher dose of SF2 in combination with MTX in plasma at the end of the experiment. A different effect was found for the relative expression of CD36 mRNA, where only SF1 significantly decreased gene expression in the liver. However, the relative gene mRNA expression of IL-1ß in the liver was significantly reduced by the SF monotherapies and the combination of both SF doses with MTX. Our findings showed SF's partial antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory potential in monotherapy, but the effect was stronger in combination with MTX.

Antimicrobially Active Zn(II) Complexes of Reduced Schiff Bases Derived from Cyclohexane-1,2-diamine and Fluorinated Benzaldehydes-Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Bioactivity.

A series of Schiff base ligands obtained by the condensation of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine and fluorinated benzaldehydes were prepared, followed by their reduction with NaBH4. The reduced ligands were employed in the synthesis of zinc complexes of the general formula [ZnCl2(L)]. The structures of both the original and the reduced Schiff bases, as well as of the zinc complexes, were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis, along with NMR and IR spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activities of the reduced Schiff bases and their zinc complexes were evaluated in vitro against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. The compounds containing the 4-(trifluoromethylphenyl) moiety showed marked antibacterial activity. Interestingly, the antimicrobial effect of the zinc complex with this moiety was significantly higher than that of the corresponding free reduced ligand, comparable with ciprofloxacin used as standard. Thus, a synergic effect upon the complexation with zinc can be inferred.

Silver Nanoparticles Stabilized with Phosphorus-Containing Heterocyclic Surfactants: Synthesis, Physico-Chemical Properties, and Biological Activity Determination.

Phosphorus-containing heterocyclic cationic surfactants alkyldimethylphenylphospholium bromides with the alkyl chain length 14 to 18 carbon atoms were used for the stabilization of silver nanodispersions. Zeta potential of silver nanodispersions ranges from +35 to +70 mV, which indicates the formation of stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Long-chain heptadecyl and octadecyl homologs of the surfactants series provided the most intensive stabilizing effect to AgNPs, resulting in high positive zeta potential values and smaller diameter of AgNPs in the range 50-60 nm. A comparison with non-heterocyclic alkyltrimethylphosphonium surfactants of the same alkyl chain length showed better stability and more positive zeta potential values for silver nanodispersions stabilized with heterocyclic phospholium surfactants. Investigations of biological activity of phospholium-capped AgNPs are represented by the studies of antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity. While cytotoxicity results revealed an increased level of HepG2 cell growth inhibition as compared with the cytotoxicity level of silver-free surfactant solutions, no enhanced antimicrobial action of phospholium-capped AgNPs against microbial pathogens was observed. The comparison of cytotoxicity of AgNPs stabilized with various non-heterocyclic ammonium and phosphonium surfactants shows that AgNPs capped with heterocyclic alkyldimethylphenylphospholium and non-heterocyclic triphenyl-substituted phosphonium surfactants have the highest cytotoxicity among silver nanodispersions stabilized by the series of ammonium and phosphonium surfactants.

Mucin pre-cultivated Lactobacillus reuteri E shows enhanced adhesion and increases mucin expression in HT-29 cells.

Adhesion of probiotic bacteria to the mucus layer lining the gastrointestinal tract is necessary for its effective colonisation and specific therapeutic effects. Enrichment of growth medium with mucin might stimulate bacterial adhesion, probably by increasing the expression of surface structures responsible for bacteria-gut epithelia and/or mucus interactions. The aim of this study was to determine if pre-cultivation of potentially probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri E (LRE) with mucin stimulates its adherence to colon cell line HT-29 and if the increased adhesion modulates mucin expression in these cells. The mucin-producing HT-29 cell line was co-cultivated for 2 h with LRE grown in MRS broth or MRS broth enriched with pig gastric mucin (LRE + M). The adherence ability of LRE was evaluated microscopically and by plate counting. The relative gene expression was measured by qPCR. Pre-cultivation of LRE in mucin enriched medium significantly increased its adhesion to 14 days HT-29 in comparison with LRE by both methods (28.64% vs. 23.83%, evaluated microscopically, and 14.31 ± 3.95 × 106 CFU ml-1 vs. 8.54 ± 0.43 × 106 CFU ml-1, evaluated by plate counting). MUC2, MUC5AC, and IL-10 were significantly upregulated after co-cultivation with LRE + M in comparison to LRE and control group (lactobacilli-free HT-29). Obtained results suggest that pre-cultivation of lactobacilli with mucin may not only stimulate their adhesion abilities but also promote their effectiveness to modulate the pathways involved in the pathophysiology of some diseases, e.g., with defective mucin synthesis in ulcerative colitis or colorectal cancer.

Evaluation of Manganese Chloride's Effect on Biosynthetic Properties of In Vitro Cultures of Eschscholzia californica Cham.

The basal production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants is limited. One of the effective approaches that encourages plants to produce a remarkable amount of precious compounds is an application of elicitors. Our work was focused on the elicitation of Eschscholzia californica Cham. suspension cultures using various concentrations of MnCl2 (5; 10; 15 mg/L) with the aim of evaluating its effect on sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and macarpine production and gene expression of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of mentioned secondary metabolites (BBE, 4'-OMT, CYP80B1) or in defense processes (LOX). Suspension cultures were exposed to elicitor for 24, 48, and 72 h. The content of alkaloids in phytomass was determined on the basis of their fluorescence properties. The relative mRNA expression of selected genes was analyzed using the ΔΔCt value method. PCR products were evaluated by melting curve analysis to confirm the specific amplification. Our results demonstrated that Eschscholzia californica Cham. cell suspension cultures evince sensitivity to the presence of MnCl2 in growth media resulting in the increased production of benzophenanthridine alkaloids and gene expression of selected enzymes. Manganese chloride seems to be a potential elicitor supporting natural biosynthetic properties in plant cell cultures and can be applied for the sustained production of valuable secondary metabolites.

Ferulaldehyde Improves the Effect of Methotrexate in Experimental Arthritis.

Methotrexate (MTX) is still the gold standard for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The therapeutic efficacy of low-dose of MTX can be increased by its combination with a natural substance, ferulaldehyde (FRA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect FRA and MTX administered alone or in combination in adjuvant arthritis. The disease was induced to Lewis male rats by intradermal injection, which contains a suspension of heat-inactivated Mycobacterium butyricum in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. The experiment of 28 days included: healthy animals, arthritic animals, arthritic animals with administration of FRA at the oral daily dose of 15 mg/kg, arthritic animals with administration of MTX at the oral dose of 0.3 mg/kg twice a week, and arthritic animals administered with FRA and MTX. FRA in monotherapy decreased significantly only the level of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in plasma. Combination of FRA and low-dose MTX was more effective than MTX alone when comparing body weight, hind paw volume, arthritic score, plasmatic levels of IL-1ß, activity of γ-glutamyl transferase, and relative mRNA expression of IL-1ß in the spleen. Therefore, the combination treatment was the most effective. The obtained results are interesting for future possible innovative therapy of patients with RA.

Effect of N-Feruloylserotonin and Methotrexate on Severity of Experimental Arthritis and on Messenger RNA Expression of Key Proinflammatory Markers in Liver.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, leading to progressive destruction of joints and extra-articular tissues, including organs such as liver and spleen. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a potential immunomodulator, natural polyphenol N-feruloylserotonin (N-f-5HT), with methotrexate (MTX), the standard in RA therapy, in the chronic phase of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in male Lewis rats. The experiment included healthy controls (CO), arthritic animals (AA), AA given N-f-5HT (AA-N-f-5HT), and AA given MTX (AA-MTX). N-f-5HT did not affect the body weight change and clinical parameters until the 14th experimental day. Its positive effect was rising during the 28-day experiment, indicating a delayed onset of N-f-5HT action. Administration of either N-f-5HT or MTX caused reduction of inflammation measured as the level of CRP in plasma and the activity of LOX in the liver. mRNA transcription of TNF-α and iNOS in the liver was significantly attenuated in both MTX and N-f-5HT treated groups of arthritic rats. Interestingly, in contrast to MTX, N-f-5HT significantly lowered the level of IL-1ß in plasma and IL-1ß mRNA expression in the liver and spleen of arthritic rats. This speaks for future investigations of N-f-5HT as an agent in the treatment of RA in combination therapy with MTX.

[Potential immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory mechanisms of probiotics]. / Predpokladané mechanizmy imunomodulacného a protizápalového pôsobenia probiotík.

UNLABELLED: The number of preclinical and clinical studies showing efficacy of probiotics in the treatment and prophylaxis of certain diseases, e.g. diarrhoea of various origin, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, hypercholesterolemia, bacterial vaginosis, and colorectal cancer, is increasing. These health benefits are often species and strain specific. This article provides an overview of available knowledge about the supposed mechanisms of probiotic microorganisms action focusing in particular on the interaction between probiotic and host cells. One of the results of this interaction is induction of pro- or anti-inflammatory immune response in the macroorganism. Detailed knowledge of the signalling pathways involved in the communication between bacterial and human cells can find application in the selection of optimal probiotics for the targeted treatment of selected diseases. Additional possibilities for their use in clinical practice are provided by genetic manipulation of probiotic microorganisms. KEY WORDS: probiotics inflammation signalling pathways immunomodulation genetic manipulation.

[The relationship of lipid imbalance and chronic inflammation mediated by PPAR]. / Vztah dysbalancie lipidov a chronického zápalu sprostredkovaný PPAR.

UNLABELLED: Obesity is a serious metabolic disease that threatens patients with increasing incidence of the metabolic, cardiovascular, cancer1-3) and other associated, especially autoimmune diseases. It increases significantly the morbidity and mortality of patients and reduces quality of their life.The imbalance between lipolysis and lipogenesis results in a number of metabolic related disorders at the different regulatory levels of transcription, translation, and/or activity of enzymes. One of the extensively studied areas in regulating lipogenesis, often accompanied by inflammation, is a peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs), especially its isomer PPAR-γ. PPAR-γ is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the family of nuclear receptors. It is mostly presented in differentiated macrophages and adipose tissue5, 6). It has an important function of adipocyte differentiation and inflammation management in terms of gene expression inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines. PPAR-γ inhibition of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α may present the molecular mechanism of lipid disorders, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of various diseases, e.g. inflammation, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis, for which the lipid metabolism disorders are a common feature. Under the action of specific agonists, PPAR-γ alter the release of signal molecules from adipose tissue, which has far-reaching metabolic consequences in other tissues. It plays an important role in the inhibition of inflammation and the development of insulin resistance. KEY WORDS: obesity inflammation PPAR-γ cytokines.

[Effect of abiotic elicitation on the sanguinarine production and polyphenol oxidase activity in the suspension culture of Eschscholtzia californica CHAM]. / Vplyv abiotickej elicitácie na produkciu sanguinarínu a aktivitu polyfenoloxidázy v suspenznej kultúre Eschscholtzia californica CHAM.

Elicitation of plant in vitro cultures represents a biotechnological tool to improve the production of secondary metabolites. In this study, the effect of AgNO3 and CdCl2 on the sanguinarine production by the suspension culture of Eschscholtzia californica CHAM. was investigated. Elicitors were added to the cultures at the 14th day of subcultivation and their effect on the sanguinarine production was evaluated after a 48 h exposure. AgNO3 at the concentration of 0.075 mmol.l-1 and CdCl2 at the concentration of 4 mmol.l-1 induced a ca. 5.2- and 5.6-multiple increase in sanguinarine synthesis, respectively. This amount represents probably the maximal production, because a further increase in the elicitors concentrations did not increase sanguinarine production. Both abiotic elicitors induced a polyphenol oxidase specific activity increase. Polyphenol oxidase is probably involved in the biosynthesis of sanguinarine at the level of dopamine formation. Dopamine is a precursor of (S)-norcoclaurine, the first intermediate with the benzylisoquinoline structure.

[Testing of the potentially probiotic lactobacilli for use in food supplements]. / Testovanie potenciálne probiotických laktobacilov pre pouzitie vo výzivových doplnkoch.

UNLABELLED: Some lactobacilli strains are used as probiotics in food industry and in dietary supplements. Eight lactobacilli strains, originated from the stomach of the lamb and goatling, are tested for their potential use in human and/or veterinary medicine in our department. Sanguinarine is a major alkaloid of Papaveraceae suspension cultures. For its antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-plaque and anti-inflammatory properties sanguinarine found application in dental preparations. A mixture of sanguinarine with other alkaloids is used for appetite stimulation of livestock. This paper is focused on testing of selected lactobacilli sensitivity to sanguinarine, isolated from the opium poppy suspension cultures. L. reuteri KO5 demonstrated the lowest sensitivity (MIC 0.6 mg.l-1). Other less sensitive strains were L. murinus C, L. mucosae D and L. plantarum KG4 (MIC 0.3 mg.l-1). For a combination of more strains of microorganisms in one preparation it is necessary to know their ability to influence their growth and survival. To test the mutual influence of lactobacilli, the streak line method on agar plates was used. The results show that the strains L. reuteri E, L. plantarum KG1 a L. reuteri KO4m are the most suitable ones for the use in combinations. KEYWORDS: Lactobacillus spp. probiotics food supplements sanguinarine.

[Comparison of sanguinarine production in suspension cultures of the Papaveraceae plants]. / Porovnanie produkcie sanguinarínu suspenznými kultúrami rastlín celade Papaveraceae.

Intact plants of the Papaveraceae family are producers of a whole range of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, which are used in pharmaceutical industry. In vitro cultures derived from plants of the Papaveraceae do not have the ability to produce such a broad spectrum of alkaloids, only the biosynthetic pathway leading to sanguinarine is active. This study deals with the preparation of in vitro cultures of Papaver somniferum, Eschscholtzia californica, Chelidonium majus and Macleaya cordata. Their sanguinarine production abilities were tested and compared. The lowest amounts of sanguinarine from all cultures tested were accumulated in suspension cultures of the opium poppy (0.45-0.55 µg in 1 g of fresh weight). Eschscholtzia californica, Chelidonium majus and Macleaya cordata cultures produced similar amounts of sanguinarine (18.0-22.7 µg; 20.5-26.3 µg; 15.4-20.3 µg in 1 g of fresh weight, resp.). The elicitation study used a biotic stressor, Botrytis cinerea hydrolysate. In all cultures treated, an increase in sanguinarine accumulation was observed. Of all cultures tested, the most intensive response was observed in the opium poppy cultures, although the amount of sanguinarine in the elicited poppy cultures was lower than in the non-elicited samples of the other cultures.

[Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria]. / Bakteriocíny produkované baktériami mliecneho kvasenia.

Lactic acid bacteria comprise several genera of gram-positive bacteria that are known for the production of structurally different antimicrobial substances. Among them, bacteriocins are nowadays in the centre of scientific interest. Bacteriocins, proteinaceous antimicrobial substances, are produced ribosomally and have usually a narrow spectrum of bacterial growth inhibition. According to their structure and the target of their activity, they are divided into four classes, although there are some suggestions for a renewed classification. The most interesting and usable class are lantibiotics. They comprise the most widely commercially used and well examined bacteriocin, nisin. The non-pathogenic character of lactic acid bacteria is advantageous for using their bacteriocins in food preservation as well as in feed supplements or in veterinary medicine.

Involvement of lipoxygenase in elicitor-stimulated sanguinarine accumulation in Papaver somniferum suspension cultures.

The involvement of lipoxygenase (LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) in elicitor-induced opium poppy defense response was investigated. Papaver somniferum L. suspension cultures were treated with abiotic elicitor methyl jasmonate (MJ), fungal elicitor (Botrytis cinerea homogenate) and phenidone (specific inhibitor of LOX) to determine the involvement of this enzyme in production of sanguinarine, the major secondary metabolite of opium poppy cultures. P. somniferum suspension cultures responded to elicitor treatment with strong and transient increase of LOX activity followed by sanguinarine accumulation. LOX activity increased in elicited cultures, reaching 9.8 times of the initial value at 10 h after MJ application and 2.9 times after B. cinerea application. Sanguinarine accumulated to maximal levels of 169.5 ± 12.5 µg g⁻¹ dry cell weight in MJ-elicited cultures and 288.0 ± 10.0 µg g⁻¹ dry cell weight in B. cinerea-elicited cultures. The treatment of cells with phenidone before elicitor addition, significantly reduced sanguinarine production. The relative molecular weight of P. somniferum LOX (83 kDa) was estimated by using immunobloting and its pH optimum was shown to be pH 6.5.