RESUMEN
The regulation of inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, and leukotriene B4, could play a crucial role in suppressing inflammatory diseases such as COVID-19. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanisms of drug combinations comprising Ephedrae Herba, Schisandra Fructus, Platycodonis Radix, and Ginseng Radix; validated the anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs; and determined the optimal dose of the drug combinations. By constructing a herb-compound-target network, associations were identified between the herbs and tissues (such as bronchial epithelial cells and lung) and pathways (such as the TNF, NF-κB, and calcium signaling pathways). The drug combinations exerted anti-inflammatory effects in the RAW264.7 cell line treated with lipopolysaccharide by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide and inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, and leukotriene B4. Notably, the drug combinations inhibited PMA-induced MUC5AC mRNA expression in NCI-H292 cells. A design space analysis was carried out to determine the optimal herbal medicine combinations using the design of experiments and synergy score calculation. Consequently, a combination study of the herbal preparations confirmed their mitigating effect on inflammation in COVID-19.
RESUMEN
Gastritis is a common disease worldwide that is caused by various causes such as eating habits, smoking, severe stress, and heavy drinking, as well as Helicobacter pylori infections and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cinnamomum cassia is a tropical aromatic evergreen tree commonly used as a natural medicine in Asia and as a functional food ingredient. Studies have reported this species' anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and cardiovascular disease suppression effects. We evaluated the potential effects of C. cassia using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ethanol (EtOH), and ethanol/hydrochloric acid (HCl)-induced gastric mucosal injury models. C. cassia extracts reduced the area of gastric mucosa injury caused by indomethacin, NSAID, EtOH, and EtOH/HCl. We also applied a network pharmacology-based approach to identify the active compounds, potential targets, and pharmacological mechanisms of C. cassia against gastritis. Through a network pharmacology analysis, 10 key components were predicted as anti-gastritis effect-related compounds of C. cassia among 51 expected active compounds. The NF-κB signaling pathway, a widely known inflammatory response mechanism, comprised a major signaling pathway within the network pharmacology analysis. These results suggest that the anti-gastritis activities of C. cassia may be induced via the anti-inflammatory effects of key components, which suppress the inflammation-related genes and signaling pathways identified in this study.
RESUMEN
In the present study, we applied and optimized a heparin-based hydrogel system, formed by thiolated heparin and diacrylated poly (ethylene glycol), for three-dimensional chondrocyte culture. Encapsulation by the heparin-based hydrogel did not affect the chondrocyte viability (better than calcium-induced alginate gel), and the heparin-based hydrogel promoted chondrocyte proliferation, while maintaining chondrogenic nature. Phenotypic analyses, such as glycosaminoglycan accumulation and histological staining, also supported the proper role of the heparin-based hydrogel for cartilage regeneration; a continuous increase in glycosaminoglycan amount was observed during the culture period. At the transcriptional level, the gene expression of type II collagen and Sox-9 was maintained, whereas type I collagen expression was not observed. The chondrocyte expansion was affected by the gel strength, and there existed an optimum gel concentration for it. Based on the results, the heparin-based hydrogel is a promising material for chondrocyte culture, potentially applicable for cartilage regeneration.