The Src family kinase Fgr is critical for activation of mast cells and IgE-mediated anaphylaxis in mice.

Mast cells are critical for various allergic disorders. Mast cells express Src family kinases, which relay positive and negative regulatory signals by Ag. Lyn, for example, initiates activating signaling events, but it also induces inhibitory signals. Fyn and Hck are reported to be positive regulators, but little is known about the roles of other Src kinases, including Fgr, in mast cells. In this study, we define the role of Fgr. Endogenous Fgr associates with FcεRI and promotes phosphorylation of Syk, Syk substrates, which include linkers for activation of T cells, SLP76, and Gab2, and downstream targets such as Akt and the MAPKs in Ag-stimulated mast cells. As a consequence, Fgr positively regulates degranulation, production of eicosanoids, and cytokines. Fgr and Fyn appeared to act in concert, as phosphorylation of Syk and degranulation are enhanced by overexpression of Fgr and further augmented by overexpression of Fyn but are suppressed by overexpression of Lyn. Moreover, knockdown of Fgr by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) further suppressed degranulation in Fyn-deficient bone marrow-derived mast cells. Overexpression of Fyn or Fgr restored phosphorylation of Syk and partially restored degranulation in Fyn-deficient cells. Additionally, knockdown of Fgr by siRNAs inhibited association of Syk with FcεRIγ as well as the tyrosine phosphorylation of FcεRIγ. Of note, the injection of Fgr siRNAs diminished the protein level of Fgr in mice and simultaneously inhibited IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. In conclusion, Fgr positively regulates mast cell through activation of Syk. These findings help clarify the interplay among Src family kinases and identify Fgr as a potential therapeutic target for allergic diseases.

Hair growth-promoting activity of hot water extract of Thuja orientalis.

BACKGROUND: Thuja orientalis has been traditionally used to treat patients who suffer from baldness and hair loss in East Asia. The present study sought to investigate the hair growth-promoting activity of T. orientalis hot water extract and the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS: After T. orientalis extract was topically applied to the shaved dorsal skin of telogenic C57BL/6 N mice, the histomorphometric analysis was employed to study induction of the hair follicle cycle. To determine the effect of T. orientalis extract on the telogen to anagen transition, the protein expression levels of ß-catenin and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in hair follicles were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We observed that T. orientalis extract promoted hair growth by inducing the anagen phase in telogenic C57BL/6 N mice. Specifically, the histomorphometric analysis data indicates that topical application of T. orientalis extract induced an earlier anagen phase and prolonged the mature anagen phase, in contrast to either the control or 1% minoxidil-treated group. We also observed increases in both the number and size of hair follicles of the T. orientalis extract-treated group. Moreover, the immunohistochemical analysis reveals earlier induction of ß-catenin and Shh proteins in hair follicles of the T. orientalis extract-treated group, compared to the control or 1% minoxidil-treated group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that T. orientalis extract promotes hair growth by inducing the anagen phase in resting hair follicles and might therefore be a potential hair growth-promoting agent.

Cordyceps militaris Grown on Germinated Soybean Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest through Downregulation of Cyclin B1 and Cdc25c in Human Colon Cancer HT-29 Cells.

Cordyceps militaris (CM) is an insect-borne fungus that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine because of its wide range of pharmacological activities. In this paper, we studied CM grown on germinated soybean (GSC) and investigated the possible mechanisms underlying antiproliferative effect of GSC on HT-29 human colon cancer cells. In comparison with CM extracts and germinated soybean (GS) BuOH extracts, BuOH extracts of GSC showed remarkable inhibitory and antiproliferative effects on HT-29 colon cancer cells. After GSC treatment, HT-29 cells became smaller and irregular in shape. High G2/M phase cell populations were observed in the GSC-treated group. The levels of cyclin B1 and Cdc25 in the GSC-treated group were lower than those in the control group. These findings suggest that GSC BuOH extracts might act as an effective anti-proliferative agent by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest in colon cancer cells.

A new isoflavone glycitein 7-O-beta-D-glucoside 4''-O-methylate, isolated from Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans extract, inhibits EGF-induced mucus hypersecretion in the human lung mucoepidermoid cells.

A new isoflavone glycitein 7-O-beta-d-glucoside 4''-O-methylate (CGLM) has been isolated recently from Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybean extract and has antioxidant activity. In the present study, CGLM was investigated for its suppression of airway mucous hyper-secretion in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-treated human lung mucoepidermoid cells. NCI-H292 cells were treated with CGLM for 1 h, followed by EGF treatment for 24 h. The decrease in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) production was correlated with reduced levels of protein and mRNA of inducible matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and also MUC5AC gene expression. CGLM directly inhibited down-regulated NF-κB activity, and significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2 (p42/p44) in NCI-H292 cells. These results suggest that CGLM protects NCI-H292 cells from EGF-induced damage by down-regulation of COX-2, MMP-9 and MUC5AC gene expression, mediated via blocking the NF-kappa-B and p38/ERK MAPK pathways.

Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis of Cordyceps militaris Cultivated on Germinated Soybeans.

The ascomycete fungus Cordyceps militaris infects lepidopteran larvae and pupae and forms characteristic fruiting bodies. Owing to its immune-enhancing effects, the fungus has been used as a medicine. For industrial application, this fungus can be grown on geminated soybeans as an alternative protein source. In our study, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis to identify core gene sets during C. militaris cultivation on germinated soybeans. RNA-Seq technology was applied to the fungal cultures at seven-time points (2, 4, and 7-day and 2, 3, 5, 7-week old cultures) to investigate the global transcriptomic change. We conducted a time-series analysis using a two-step regression strategy and chose 1460 significant genes and assigned them into five clusters. Characterization of each cluster based on Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases revealed that transcription profiles changed after two weeks of incubation. Gene mapping of cordycepin biosynthesis and isoflavone modification pathways also confirmed that gene expression in the early stage of GSC cultivation is important for these metabolic pathways. Our transcriptomic analysis and selected genes provided a comprehensive molecular basis for the cultivation of C. militaris on germinated soybeans.

A novel imidazo[1,5-b]isoquinolinone derivative, U63A05, inhibits Syk activation in mast cells to suppress IgE-mediated anaphylaxis in mice.

Mast cells play a pivotal role in IgE-mediated allergic responses. Development of specific inhibitors against FcεRI-associated proximal signaling molecules in mast cells may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for allergic diseases. We examined whether a novel synthetic compound, 3-butyl-1-chloro-8-(2-methoxycarbonyl)phenyl-5H-imidazo[1,5-b]isoquinolin-10-one (U63A05), could suppress antigen-stimulated degranulation and cytokine secretion in mast cells and IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. U63A05 reversibly and dose-dependently inhibited degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) stimulated by antigen (IC(50) values for RBL-2H3 and BMMCs were 4.1 and 4.8 µM, respectively). The secretion of inflammatory cytokines was also suppressed in antigen-stimulated mast cells. However, degranulation by thapsigargin, a typical calcium inducer, was not inhibited by U63A05. U63A05 exerts its inhibitory effect, to the same extent as in degranulation, on the activating phosphorylation of Syk and downstream signaling molecules, including LAT and SLP-76. Further downstream, the activating phosphorylations of Akt, Erk1/2, p38, and JNK were also inhibited. Finally, antigen-stimulated PCA was dose-dependently suppressed in mice (ED(50), 26.3 mg/kg). Taken together, the results suggest that U63A05 suppresses the activation of mast cells and the mast cell-mediated allergic response through the inhibition of Syk activation in mast cells.

The ethyl acetate extract of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human colon carcinoma HT29 cells.

It is well known that Phellinus linteus has a variety of biological functions, such as antitumor and immunomodulating activities. In our previous studies, we developed a P. linteus grown on germinated brown rice (PBR) and found that organic solvent extracts of PBR possessed immunomodulating activity to regulate a balance of cytokine network in mice. The components of PBR are ergosterol peroxide, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Beta-glucan. In this study, we demonstrate that an organic solvent extract of P. linteus grown on PBR induced apoptotic cell death through the induction of G(0)/G(1) arrest of cell cycle and the apoptosis via DNA fragmentation in human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells. Cell death induced by the extract of P. linteus grown on PBR was shown to be associated with the upregulation of p21(CIP1/WAF1), the downregulation of cyclin D1, anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, the release of cytochrome c, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and caspase-8. This study suggests that the ethyl acetate extract of P. linteus grown on PBR induces apoptosis accompanied by cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase and regulates apoptosis-regulatory proteins, which may be applicable to anticancer therapy.

Peptidoglycan-mediated IL-8 expression in human alveolar type II epithelial cells requires lipid raft formation and MAPK activation.

Staphylococcus aureus, a major sepsis-causing Gram-positive bacterium, invades pulmonary epithelial cells and causes lung diseases. In the lung, alveolar type II epithelial cells play an important role in innate immunity by secreting chemokines and antimicrobial peptides upon bacterial infection whereas type I cells mainly function in gas-exchange. In this study, we investigated the ability of S. aureus peptidoglycan (PGN) to induce expression of a chemokine, IL-8, in a human alveolar type II epithelial cell line, A549. PGN induces IL-8 mRNA and protein expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Supplementation of soluble CD14 further enhanced the PGN-induced IL-8 expression. Interestingly, PGN-induced IL-8 expression was inhibited by nystatin, a specific inhibitor for lipid rafts, but not by chlorpromazine, a specific inhibitor for clathrin-coated pits. Furthermore, PGN-induced IL-8 expression was attenuated by inhibitors for MAP kinases such as ERK, p38 kinase, and JNK/SAPK, whereas no inhibitory effect was observed by inhibitors for reactive oxygen species or protein kinase C. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrates that PGN increased the DNA binding of the transcription factors, AP-1 and NF-kappaB while minimally, NF-IL6, all of which are involved in the transcription of IL-8. Taken together, these results suggest that PGN induces IL-8 expression in a CD14-enhanced manner in human alveolar type II epithelial cells, through the formation of lipid rafts and the activation of MAP kinases, which ultimately leads to activation of AP-1, NF-kappaB, and NF-IL6.

Fermented Cordyceps militaris Extract Ameliorates Hepatosteatosis via Activation of Fatty Acid Oxidation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a progressive disease involving the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver. In this study, we investigated the anti-hepatosteatosis effects of fermented Cordyceps militaris extract (CME) in AML-12 hepatocytes. Although the levels of adenosine and cordycepin were reduced in the extracts of CM grown on germinated soybean (GSCE) and fermented CM grown on germinated soybean (GSC) by Pediococcus pentosaceus ON188 (ON188E), the expression of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) genes were upregulated only by GSC-ON188E treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, a lipogenic gene, stearoyl Coenzyme A desaturase 1, was downregulated by ON188E. Formation of intracellular lipid droplets by the addition of oleic acid was reduced by ON188E to levels observed in WY14643-treated cells. When cells were treated with ON188E, sphingosine kinase 2 mainly responsible for hepatic sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) synthesis was upregulated and S1P was elevated. Collectively, the fermented GSC extract activates FAO through elevation of S1P synthesis and has potential as a therapeutic for hepatosteatosis.

Armillariella mellea induces maturation of human dendritic cells without induction of cytokine expression.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Armillariella mellea, an edible and medicinal mushroom possessing immuno-modulating potential, has been frequently used for the treatment of infectious diseases or cancers. AIM OF THE STUDY: In order to elucidate immune-regulatory mechanisms of Armillariella mellea, we investigated the effect of water-soluble components from Armillariella mellea (AME) on the regulation of human dendritic cell (DC) maturation and activation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immature DCs (iDCs) were prepared by differentiating human peripheral blood CD14-positive cells with GM-CSF and IL-4. Then, iDCs were treated with AME at 2-20 microg/ml for 48 h and subjected to flow cytometry to analyze the expression of DC markers. Dextran-FITC uptake assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to examine the endocytic capacity of AME-stimulated DC and their production of cytokines, respectively. RESULTS: iDCs stimulated with AME showed representative features during DC maturation such as up-regulated expression of CD80, CD83, CD86, both MHC class I and II molecules, and CD205, with a simultaneous decrease in the expression of CD206 and the endocytic capacity. Interestingly, AME was not able to induce the production of TNF-alpha, IL-12p40, or IL-10, whereas lipopolysaccharides induced a substantial increase of all of the cytokines. CONCLUSION: Armillariella mellea induces maturation of human DCs through a unique mechanism without inducing cytokine expression.

Detection of expressed IL-32 in human stomach cancer using ELISA and immunostaining.

Interleukin (IL)-32 is a recently identified proinflammatory cytokine that is one of the IL-18 inducible genes, and plays an important role in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We produced antibodies against IL-32 and studied the expression of IL-32 in human stomach cancer. We detected IL-32 secreted from K-562 cells that werw stably transfected with IL-32 and in the sera of stomach cancer patients, by a sandwich ELISA using a monoclonal antibody KU32-52 and a polyclonal antibody. In order to optimize a sandwich immunoassay, recombinant IL-32alpha was added, followed by the addition of a biotinylated KU32-52 into microtiter plate wells precoated with a goat anti-IL-32 antibody. The bound biotinylated KU32-52 was probed with a streptavidin conjugated to HRP. This sandwich ELISA was highly specific and had a minimal detection limit of 80 pg/ml (mean+/-SD of zero calibrator) and measuring up to 3,000 pg/ml. This ELISA showed no cross-reaction with other cytokines such as hIL-1alpha, hIL-1beta, hIL-2, hIL-6, hIL-8, hIL-10, hIL-18, and hTNF-alpha. Intra-assay coefficients of variation were 18.5% to 4.6% (n=10), and inter-assay coefficients were 23% to 9% (n=10). The average IL-32 level in the sera of 16 stomach cancer patients (189 pg/ml) was higher than that of 12 healthy control men (109 pg/ml). Our results indicate that serum IL-32 level can be detected by using an established ELISA, and that this immunoassay and mAb KU32-09 specific for immunohistochemistry can be used in the detection of expressed and secreted IL- 32 in stomach cancer patients.

In vivo anti-influenza virus activity of an immunomodulatory acidic polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans.

An acidic polysaccharide (APS) was isolated from the extract of Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans. Analyses of sugar composition indicated that APS consisted of d-galactose, L-arabinose, D-xylose, L-rhamnose, and D-galacturonic acid. On the basis of the result of methylation analysis, APS was considered to be mainly composed of Araf-(1-->, -->5)-Araf-(1-->, -->4)-Galp-(1--> and -->4)-GalAp-(1--> residues. When the polysaccharide was intranasally administered, it decreased virus titers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the lung of mice infected with influenza A virus and increased survival rate. Furthermore, APS increased TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels in mice when compared with those of untreated mice. APS enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production and induced iNOS mRNA and protein expressions in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. The induction of mRNA expression of cytokines including IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha was also observed. These results demonstrated that APS might have beneficial therapeutic effects on influenza A virus infection at least in part by modulation of the immune function of macrophages.

Phosphorylation and activation of STAT proteins by hypoxia in breast cancer cells.

Several constitutively activated signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins have been observed in a wide number of human cancer cell lines and primary tumors. Normal cells maintain normoxic conditions but tumor cells are characteristically hypoxic. We studied the altered activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of STATs under hypoxic conditions (2% O2) or desferrioxamine (DFO) treatment in mouse mammary epithelial cells (HC11) and a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). STAT1, -3 and -5 proteins are especially important and are observed at elevated levels in tumorigenesis. We also investigated the serine phosphorylation of STAT1, -3, and -5 under hypoxic conditions or DFO treatment in HC11 and MCF-7 cells. Here we show that DFO or hypoxia stimulates the tyrosine and/or serine phosphorylation and the expression of STAT proteins in breast cancer cells. Our data suggest that DFO or hypoxic condition is a critical stimulator for the activation of STAT proteins in breast cancer cells. These results may provide the basis for identifying another mechanism of breast tumorigenesis via the JAK/STAT pathway in hypoxia. Also, activation of STAT proteins by hypoxia may play an important role in the physiological phenomenon of embryonic stem cells and old cells with hypoxic conditions.

Hypoxia activates the cyclin D1 promoter via the Jak2/STAT5b pathway in breast cancer cells.

Hypoxia, a common consequence of solid tumor growth in breast cancer or other cancers, serves to propagate a cascade of molecular pathways which include angiogenesis, glycolysis, and various cell-cycle control proteins. As we have shown previously, hypoxia activates STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) and increases its binding activity to the GAS element in mammary epithelial cells. In this study we attempted to elucidate the mechanism by which cyclin D1 is regulated by the STAT5 protein under hypoxic conditions. Our data demonstrate that hypoxia (2% O(2)) or desferrioxamine (DFO) induces tyrosine and serine phosphorylation of STAT5 in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and mammary epithelial cells (HC11). Imunoprecipitation and subsequent Western analysis showed that Jak2 leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of STAT5a or STAT5b under hypoxic conditions. Using a transfected COS-7 cell model system, we demonstrate that the activity of a cyclin D1 promoter-luciferase construct increased under hypoxic conditions or DFO treatment. The activity of the STAT5b/cyclin D1 promoter increased significantly by 12 h of hypoxia, whereas the activity of the STAT5a/cyclin D1 promoter was unaffected under hypoxic conditions. These increases in promoter activity are predominantly mediated by the Jak2/STAT5b signaling pathway. We have shown by EMSA that hypoxia induces STAT5 to bind to the cyclin D1 promoter (GAS-1) in MCF-7 and HC11 cells. These data suggest that STAT5b may mediate the transcriptional activation of cyclin D1 after hypoxic stimulation.

Antioxidative effect of chitosan on chronic carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury in rats.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) is a toxic material known to induce lipid peroxidation and liver damage. To determine if chitosan has antioxidative effects on CCl(4)-induced liver injury, we administered 1 ml/kg of CCl(4) resolved in a 50% corn oil solution to rats every week by intraperitoneal injection. Chitosan (200 mg/kg body weight per day, MW 380,000 Da) was administered to the CCl(4) + chitosan treated rats by oral gavage during the experimental period. Chitosan significantly decreased liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)). Fatty acid composition was not remarkably changed by chitosan; only arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) levels were significantly altered by CCl(4). Chitosan administration in the present experiment did not restore the decreased delta5-desaturase activity. In addition, chitosan supplementation did not prevent the CCl(4) induced degradation of CYP2E1. In conclusion, our results suggest that chitosan has antioxidative but not detoxifying effects on chronic CCl(4) induced hepatic injury in rats.

Red yeast rice extracts suppress adipogenesis by down-regulating adipogenic transcription factors and gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells.

The effects of red yeast rice extracts (RE) on adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells were studied. RE were extracted from embryonic rice fermented with red yeast (Monascus ruber). These extracts significantly decreased glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity and lipid accumulation, a marker of adipogenesis, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mRNA expression levels of both CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) alpha and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, the key adipogenic transcription factors, were markedly decreased by RE. RE also inhibited the expression of PPARgamma at protein levels. RE decreased significantly gene expression of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and leptin, which are adipogenic marker proteins and C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma target genes. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of RE on adipocyte differentiation might be mediated through the down-regulated expression of adipogenic transcription factors and other specific genes.

Efficacy of dietary aloe vera supplementation on hepatic cholesterol and oxidative status in aged rats.

In the current study, we show the anti-oxidative and hypocholesterol effects of aloe vera in the liver. Male specific pathogen-free (SPF) Fischer 344 rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Group A (control) was fed test chow without aloe supplementation; Group B was fed a diet containing a 1% (per weight basis) freeze-dried aloe filet; Group C was fed a diet containing a 1% (per weight basis) charcoal-processed, freeze-dried aloe filet; and Group D was fed a diet containing a charcoal-processed freeze-dried, whole leaf aloe (0.02% per weight basis) in the drinking water. Our results show that a life-long intake of aloe had superior anti-oxidative action against lipid peroxidation in vivo, as indicated by reduced levels of hepatic phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide. Additional anti-oxidative action was evidenced by enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity in groups B and C. Furthermore, our study revealed that hepatic cholesterol significantly increased in the control group during aging in contrast to the aloe-supplemented groups, which showed approximately 30% lower cholesterol levels, thereby an effective hypocholesteremic efficacy. In this report, we suggest that life-long dietary aloe supplementation suppresses free radical-induced oxidative damage and age-related increases in hepatic cholesterol.

Ethanol extract of Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans attenuates dextran-sodium-sulfate- (DSS-) induced colitis by suppressing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and inflammatory mediators.

The effect of Cordyceps militaris (CM) grown on germinated soybeans (GSC) in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model was studied. To demonstrate the preventive effect of GSC extract in a dextran-sodium-sulfate- (DSS-) induced acute colitis mouse model, GSC was administered 2 days before DSS coadministration. GSC significantly suppressed DSS-induced disease activity index (DAI) as well as histopathological scores, compared to control or CM-treated group. To elucidate the anti-IBD activity of GSC, we checked the level of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and inflammatory mediators. GSC extract decreased the level of MMP-3 and -9 mRNAs and p53 proteins. The level and activity of LPS-induced MMP-9 were reduced in GSC-treated RAW264.7 cells. It also attenuated the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α mRNAs both in colon tissue and in macrophage cells. These results suggest that GSC can be applied as a protective agent against IBDs.

Ethanol Extract of Antrodia camphorata Grown on Germinated Brown Rice Suppresses Inflammatory Responses in Mice with Acute DSS-Induced Colitis.

The anti-inflammatory activity of Antrodia camphorata (AC) grown on germinated brown rice (CBR) extract was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. CBR suppressed the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 from lipopolysaccharide-(LPS-)stimulated RAW264.7 cells. CBR inhibited the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-(COX-)2 proteins, and it activated p38-MAPK, extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK), and NF- κ B in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression was reduced in CBR-treated RAW264.7 cells. In concert with in vitro data, CBR suppressed the levels of dextran-sulfate-sodium-(DSS-)induced iNOS and COX-2 proteins in the colon tissue. CBR treatment inhibited activated p38-MAPK, ERK, and NF- κ B proteins in the colon tissue of DSS-induced mice. TNF- α and IL-6 mRNA expression was reduced in DSS+CBR-treated mice. The disease activity index and histological scores were significantly lower in CBR-treated mice (500 mg/kg/day) than in DSS-treated mice (P < 0.05 versus DSS). This is the first report of anti-inflammatory activity of CBR in DSS-induced acute colitis. These results suggest that CBR is a promising, potential agent for preventing acute colitis through the inhibition of NF- κ B signaling and its upstream signaling molecules, including MAPKs.

Antrodia camphorata grown on germinated brown rice inhibits HT-29 human colon carcinoma proliferation through inducing G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis by targeting the ß-catenin signaling.

Antrodia camphorata (AC) has been used as a traditional medicine to treat food and drug intoxication, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypertension, pruritis (skin itch), and liver cancer in East Asia. In this study, we investigated anticancer activities of AC grown on germinated brown rice (CBR) in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. We found that the inhibitory efficacy of CBR 80% ethanol (EtOH) extract on HT-29 and CT-26 cell proliferation was more effective than ordinary AC EtOH 80% extract. Next, 80% EtOH extract of CBR was further separated into four fractions; hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (BuOH), and water. Among them, CBR EtOAc fraction showed the strongest inhibitory activity against HT-29 cell proliferation. Therefore, CBR EtOAc fraction was chosen for further studies. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate staining data indicated that CBR EtOAc fraction induced apoptosis. Induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest on human colon carcinoma cell was observed in CBR EtOAc fraction-treated cells. We found that CBR decreased the level of proteins involved in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. CBR EtOAc fraction inhibited the ß-catenin signaling pathway, supporting its suppressive activity on the level of cyclin D1. High performance liquid chromatography analysis data indicated that CBR EtOAc fraction contained adenosine. This is the first investigation that CBR has a greater potential as a novel chemopreventive agent than AC against colon cancer. These data suggest that CBR might be useful as a chemopreventive agent against colorectal cancer.