Secondary metabolites changes in germinated barley and its relationship to anti-wrinkle activity.

The purpose of this research was to identify metabolite change during barley (Hordeum vulgare) germination and reveal active principles for the anti-wrinkle activity. Barley was germinated with deionized water (DW) and mineral-rich water (MRW) for the comparison of the effect of mineral contents on the metabolites changes during germination. The effects of germinated barley extracts (GBEs) on collagen production and collagenase inhibition were evaluated in vitro using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). A pronounced anti-wrinkle activity was observed in the test group treated with the MRW-GBEs. In order to find out the active components related to the anti-wrinkle activity, an orthogonal projection to latent structure-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was performed, using the data from secondary metabolites profiling conducted by UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS. The anti-wrinkle activity of MRW-GBEs was revealed to be associated with the increase of oligomeric compounds of procyanidin and prodelphinidin, indicating that it can be used as an active ingredient for anti-wrinkle agents.

Protective Effect of 3-Bromo-4,5-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress In Vitro and In Vivo.

We investigated the protective effects of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis in Vero cells. BDB exhibited scavenging activity for DPPH, hydroxyl, and alkyl radicals. BDB also inhibited H2O2-induced lipid peroxidation, cell death, and apoptosis in Vero cells by inhibiting the production of ROS. To evaluate the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis inhibition, the expression of Bax/Bcl-xL and NF-κB was assessed by western blot assay. BDB significantly suppressed the cleavage of caspase-9 and PARP and reduced Bax levels in H2O2-induced Vero cells. Besides, BDB suppressed the phosphorylation of NF-κB and the translocation of p65 in H2O2-induced cells. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of BDB on ROS production, cell death, and lipid peroxidation in an H2O2-stimulated zebrafish embryo model. Taken together, these results indicated that ROS generation and cell death were significantly inhibited by BDB in zebrafish embryos, thereby proving that BDB exerts excellent antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo.

3­Bromo­5­(ethoxymethyl)­1,2­benzenediol inhibits LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses by preventing ROS production and downregulating NF-κB in vitro and in a zebrafish model.

The anti-inflammatory effects of 3­bromo­5­(ethoxymethyl)­1,2­benzenediol (BEMB) from Polysiphonia morrowii were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish embryo. BEMB showed anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish embryo without cytotoxicity. Moreover, BEMB suppressed the protein and mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65 and inhibitor of NF-κB [IκB]-A) in RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish embryo, respectively. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that BEMB suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, iNOS, and COX-2 as well as their regulation in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish embryos by inhibiting ROS production and NF-κB expression. Therefore, this study suggests that BEMB could be a potential anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of action of Lindera erythrocarpa essential oil in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical constituents of Lindera erythrocarpa essential oil (LEO) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and evaluate their inhibitory effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Fifteen compounds, accounting for 63.7 % of the composition of LEO, were identified. The main compounds were nerolidol (18.73 %), caryophyllene (14.41 %), α-humulene (7.73 %), germacrene-D (4.82 %), and α-pinene (4.47 %). LEO significantly inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, and subsequent production of NO and prostaglandin E2. In addition, it reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. The molecular mechanism underlying the effect of LEO was associated with inhibition of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Furthermore, LEO inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitor of kappa B-α, which is required for the activation of the p50 and p65 nuclear factor (NF)-κB subunits in RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that LEO exerted its anti-inflammatory effect by downregulating LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators through the inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling in RAW264.7 cells.

The roles of NF-κB and ROS in regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators of inflammation induction in LPS-stimulated zebrafish embryos.

In this study, the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NF-κB on inflammation induction in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated zebrafish embryos were evaluated using N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), specific inhibitors of ROS and NF-κB, respectively. LPS-stimulated zebrafish embryos showed increasing production of NO and ROS and expression of iNOS and COX-2 protein, compared to a control group without LPS. However, NAC significantly inhibited production of NO and ROS and markedly suppressed expression of iNOS and COX-2 protein in LPS-stimulated zebrafish embryos. The mRNA expressions of NF-κB such as p65NF-κB and IκB-A were significantly increased after LPS stimulation, whereas PDTC attenuated mRNA expression of NF-κB. PDTC also inhibited production of NO and reduced expression of iNOS and COX-2 protein in LPS-stimulated zebrafish embryos. Taken together, these results indicated that LPS increases pro-inflammatory mediators in zebrafish embryos through ROS and NF-κB regulation.

Anti-inflammatory activity of hydrosols from Tetragonia tetragonoides in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.

The present study was performed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Tetragonia tetragonoides hydrosols (TTH) and its underlying mechanism in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry and retention index calculations showed that TTH were mainly composed of tetratetracontane (29.5 %), nonacosane (27.6 %), and oleamide (17.1 %). TTH significantly decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Consistent with these observations, TTH treatment decreased the protein expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The molecular mechanism of its anti-inflammatory activity was found to be associated with inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB 65. Furthermore, TTH markedly suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Taken together, these data indicate that TTH exerts an anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Excellent Long-Term Stability of Power Conversion Efficiency in Non-Fullerene-Based Polymer Solar Cells Bearing Tricyanovinylene-Functionalized n-Type Small Molecules.

New small molecules having modified acceptor strength and π-conjugation length and containing dicyanovinylene (DCV) and tricyanovinylene (TCV) as a strongly electron-accepting unit with indacenodithiophene, IDT(DCV)2, IDT(TCV)2, and IDTT(TCV)2, were synthesized and studied in terms of their applicability to polymer solar cells with PTB7-Th as an electron-donating polymer. Intriguingly, the blended films containing IDT(TCV)2 and IDTT(TCV)2 exhibited superior shelf life stabilities of more than 1000 h without any reduction in the initial power conversion efficiency. The low-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels and robust internal morphologies of small TCV-containing molecules could afford excellent shelf life stability.

Anti-inflammatory effect of supercritical extract and its constituents from Ishige okamurae.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the supercritical fluid extract of Ishige okamurae (SFEIO) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. The lipid profile of the SFEIO, reviled the presence of palmitic acid (220.2 mg/g), linoleic acid (168.0 mg/g), and oleic acid (123.0 mg/g). SFEIO was found to exert it's anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, without inducing cytotoxicity. SFEIO did not effect on the LPS-induced p38 kinase phosphorylation, whereas it attenuated the extracellular-related signaling kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, SFEIO inhibited the LPS-induced IκB-α degradation and p50 NF-κB activation. These results suggest that SFEIO exerts its anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells by down-regulating the activation of ERK, JNK, and NF-κB.

5-Bromo-2-hydroxy-4-methyl-benzaldehyde inhibited LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators through the inactivation of ERK, p38, and NF-κB pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-4-methyl-benzaldehyde (BHMB) on inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 cells and the associated mechanism of action. BHMB concentration-dependently suppressed protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2, thereby inhibiting the production of NO and PGE2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. BHMB also reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of BHMB, we investigated the effects of BHMB on the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. BHMB suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α and markedly inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65 and p50 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The compound also inhibited the LPS-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK and p38. Taken together, these results illustrated that BHMB suppresses pro-inflammatory mediator and cytokine expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 and the activation of NF-κB.

Anti-inflammatory effects of trans-1,3-diphenyl-2,3-epoxypropane-1-one in zebrafish embryos in vivo model.

In this study, trans-1,3-diphenyl-2,3-epoxypropane-1-one (DPEP) was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated zebrafish embryos. In the present study, DPEP exhibited potential protective effect in the zebrafish embryos as confirmed by survival rate. DPEP acts as an effective agent against reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation induced by LPS. Moreover, DPEP effectively inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in zebrafish embryos. In addition, DPEP significantly reduced the expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) and cycloxygenase 2 (COX-2), which generate NO as a key mediator of inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner. According to these results, DPEP could be considered an effective anti-inflammatory agent, which might be further developed as a functional ingredient. This is the first report of the anti-inflammatory activity of DPEP in the LPS-stimulated zebrafish model.

Enhanced Performance of Polymer Solar Cells Comprising Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Regular Terpolymer Bearing Two Different π-Extended Donor Units.

New regular and random diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based terpolymers (i.e., Reg-PBDPPT and Ran-PBDPPT, respectively) bearing DPP as an electron deficient unit and 2,2'-bithiophene and (E)-1,2-di(thiophen-2-yl)ethene as electron donating units were designed and synthesized, and their performance in photovoltaic cells was investigated precisely. The absorption properties and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of Reg-PBDPPT were found to be different from those of Ran-PBDPPT. The results of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction experiments revealed that Ran-PBDPPT typically had a predominantly edge-on chain orientation on the substrate, whereas Reg-PBDPPT showed mixed chain orientation both in pristine and thermally annealed films. Although Reg-PBDPPT exhibited a lower degree of edge-on chain orientation on the substrate, the corresponding TFTs showed a high hole mobility of 0.42-0.96 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and maintained a high current on/off ratio (>10(6)). A polymer solar cell (PSC) composed of Reg-PBDPPT and PC71BM exhibited power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 5.24-5.45%, which were higher than those of the Ran-PBDPPT-based PSCs. The enhanced efficiency was supported by an increase in the short circuit current, which is strongly related to the unique internal crystalline morphology and pronounced nanophase segregation behavior in the blend films. These results obviously manifested that this synthetic strategy for regular conjugated terpolymers could be employed to control morphological properties to obtain high-performance PSCs.

2,4,6-Trihydroxybenzaldehyde, a potential anti-obesity treatment, suppressed adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and fat accumulation induced by high-fat diet in C57BL/6 mice.

In the present study, 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde (THB) was evaluated for inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and anti-obesity effects in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Lipid accumulation measurement indicated that THB markedly inhibited adipogenesis, and this involved down-regulation of the expression of the adipogenesis-related proteins, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cells. In a mouse model of HFD-induced obesity, oral administration of THB (5 and 25mg/kg for 13 weeks) reduced the HFD-induced increase in weight gain. THB administration also reduced serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. A reduction in the hypertrophy of white adipose tissue was also observed. Furthermore, THB administration inhibited HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. These results provided evidence that administration of THB alleviated HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice and revealed the potential of THB as a nutraceutical to help prevent or treat obesity and the associated metabolic disorders.

Trans-1,3-diphenyl-2,3-epoxypropan-1-one, a chalcone derivative, induces apoptosis via ROS-mediated down-regulation of Bcl-xL in human leukemia HL-60 cells.

The anticancer effects of trans-1,3-diphenyl-2,3-epoxypropan-1-one (DPEP), a chalcone derivative, were investigated in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Treatment of HL-60 cells with various concentration of DPEP resulted in a sequence of events characteristic of apoptosis, including loss of cell viability, morphological changes, and increased sub-G1 DNA content. We demonstrated that DPEP elevates reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in HL-60 cells, and that the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) could block DPEP-induced ROS generation and apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that DPEP inhibits Bcl-xL expression, leading to caspase-3 activation and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage, thereby inducing apoptosis. However, NAC pre-treatment significantly inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and PARP cleavage and reduced Bcl-xL levels. These findings provide the first evidence that DPEP may inhibit the growth of HL-60 cells and induce apoptosis through a ROS-mediated Bcl-xL pathway.

Natural Products for Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the primary cause of cancer death in women. Although current therapies have shown some promise against breast cancer, there is still no effective cure for the majority of patients in the advanced stages of breast cancer. Development of effective agents to slow, reduce, or reverse the incidence of breast cancer in high-risk women is necessary. Chemoprevention of breast cancer by natural products is advantageous, as these compounds have few side effects and low toxicity compared to synthetic compounds. In the present review, we summarize natural products which exert chemopreventive activities against breast cancer, such as curcumin, sauchinone, lycopene, denbinobin, genipin, capsaicin, and ursolic acid. This review examines the current knowledge about natural compounds and their mechanisms that underlie breast cancer chemopreventive activity both in vitro and in vivo. The present review may provide information on the use of these compounds for the prevention of breast cancer.

6-7-Dimethoxy-4-methylcoumarin suppresses pro-inflammatory mediator expression through inactivation of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.

In this study, we investigated the ability of 6,7-dimethoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DMC) to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in mouse macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells, and the molecular mechanism through which this inhibition occurred. Our results indicated that DMC downregulated LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, thereby reducing the production of NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DMC suppressed LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of DMC, we assessed its effects on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and the activity and expression of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB). The experiments demonstrated that DMC inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. In addition, it attenuated LPS-induced NF-κB activation via the inhibition of IκB-α phosphorylation. Taken together, these data suggest that DMC exerts its anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells through the inhibition of LPS-stimulated NF-κB and MAPK signaling, thereby downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators.