Anti-Cancer Effects of Glaucarubinone in the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line Huh7 via Regulation of the Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition-Associated Transcription Factor Twist1.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. As HCC has a high mortality rate and its incidence is increasing worldwide, understanding and treating HCC are crucial for resolving major public health concerns. In the present study, wound healing screening assays were performed using natural product libraries to identify natural chemicals that can inhibit cancer cell migration. Glaucarubinone (GCB) showed a high potential for inhibiting cell migration. The anti-cancer effects of GCB were evaluated using the HCC cell line, Huh7. GCB showed anti-cancer effects, as verified by wound healing, cell migration, invasion, colony formation, and three-dimensional spheroid invasion assays. In addition, cells treated with GCB showed suppressed matrix metalloproteinase activities. Immunoblotting analyses of intracellular signaling pathways revealed that GCB regulated the levels of Twist1, a crucial transcription factor associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and mitogen-activated protein kinase. The invasive ability of cancer cells was found to be decreased by the regulation of Twist1 protein levels. Furthermore, GCB downregulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. These results indicate that GCB exhibits anti-metastatic properties in Huh7 cells, suggesting that it could be used to treat HCC.

Anti-neuroinflammatory Effects of 12-Dehydrogingerdione in LPS-Activated Microglia through Inhibiting Akt/IKK/NF-κB Pathway and Activating Nrf-2/HO-1 Pathway.

Ginger, one of worldwide consumed dietary spice, is not only famous as food supplements, but also believed to exert a variety of remarkable pharmacological activity as herbal remedies. In this study, a ginger constituent, 12-dehydrogingerdione (DHGD) was proven that has comparable anti-inflammatory activity with positive control 6-shogaol in inhibiting LPS-induced interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, prostaglandin (PG) E2, nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, without interfering with COX-1 in cultured microglial cells. Subsequent mechanistic studies indicate that 12-DHGD may inhibit neuro-inflammation through suppressing the LPS-activated Akt/IKK/NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, 12-DHGD markedly promoted the activation of NF-E2-related factor (Nrf)-2 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and we demonstrated that the involvement of HO-1 on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO and TNF-α by using a HO-1 inhibitor, Zinc protoporphyrin (Znpp). These results indicate that 12-DHGD may protect against neuro-inflammation by inhibiting Akt/IKK/IκB/NF-κB pathway and promoting Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.

Anti-osteoclastogenic effects of isoquinoline alkaloids from the rhizome extract of Sinomenium acutum.

A phytochemical investigation for the rhizome extract from Sinomenium acutum (Menispermaceae) resulted in the isolation of several active principles responsible for the anti-osteoclastogenic property of the extract, together with related isoquinoline alkaloids (1-13) including two new compounds, 1 and 2. Among isolated compounds, salutaridine (7), dauricumine (10), cheilanthifoline (12), and dauriporphine (13) were observed to give significant inhibitions on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages into multinucleated osteoclasts, respectively. The chemical structures of two newly isolated compounds, 1 and 2 were established as 8-demethoxycephatonine (1) and 7(R)-7,8-dihydrosinomenine (2), by spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR experiments.

Upregulation of Death Receptor 5 and Production of Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Sensitization of PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells to TRAIL Induced Apoptosis by Vitisin A.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although Vitisin A, derived from wine grapes, is known to have cytotoxic, anti-adipogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the underlying antitumor mechanism has not been investigated in prostate cancer cells to date. In the present study, the apoptotic mechanism of Vitisin A plus TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in prostate cancer cells was elucidated. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of Vitisin A and/or TRAIL against PC-3, DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells was measured by MTT colorimetric assay. Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection kit was used to detect apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. Intracellular levels of ROS were measured by flow cytometry using 2070-diacetyl dichlorofluorescein (DCFDA). RESULTS: Combined treatment with Vitisin A and TRAIL enhanced cytotoxicity and also increased sub-G1 population in PC-3 cells better than DU145 or LNCap prostate cancer cells. Similarly, Annexin V and PI staining revealed that combination increased early and late apoptosis in PC-3 cells compared to untreated control. Consistently, combination attenuated the expression of pro-caspases 7/8, DcR1, Bcl-XL or Bcl-2 and activated caspase 3, FADD, DR5 and DR4 in PC-3 cells. Also, combination increased DR5 promoter activity compared to untreated control. Furthermore, combination increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DR5 cell surface expression. The ROS inhibitor NAC and silencing of DR5 by siRNA transfection inhibited the ability of combination to induce PARP cleavage and generate ROS. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that Vitisin A can be used in conjunction with TRAIL as a potent TRAIL sensitizer for synergistic apoptosis induction via upregulation of DR5 and production of ROS in prostate cancer cells.

In vitro and in vivo Bone-Forming Activity of Saururus chinensis Extract.

Bone is maintained by osteoclast-mediated resorption and osteoblast-mediated formation. Recently, anti-osteoporotic activity of Saururus chinensis extract (SCE) and anti-osteoclastogenic activity of its components have been reported, but the effect of SCE on bone formation has not been studied well. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether Saururus chinensis SCE exhibits in vitro osteogenic and in vivo bone-forming activity. extract strongly enhanced the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-stimulated induction of alkaline phosphatase, an early phase biomarker of osteoblast differentiation, in bi-potential mesenchymal progenitor C2C12 cells. In vitro osteogenic activity of SCE was accompanied by enhanced expression of BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-7 and BMP-9 mRNA. In addition, a pharmacological inhibition study suggested the involvement of p38 activation in the osteogenic action of SCE. Moreover, the BMP dependency and the involvement of p38 activation in the osteogenic action of SCE were confirmed by the treatment of noggin, an antagonist of BMP. Saururus chinensis extract also exhibited to induce runt-related transcription factor 2 activation at the high concentration. Furthermore, the in vivo osteogenic activity of SCE was confirmed in zebrafish and mouse calvarial bone formation models, suggesting the possibility of its use for bone formation. In conclusion, we suggested that in vivo anti-osteoporotic activity of SCE could be because of its dual action in bone, anti-osteoclastogenic and anabolic activity.

Protective effect of ixerisoside A against UVB-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human keratinocytes.

Human skin is the first line of defense for the protection of the internal organs of the body from different stimuli. Ultraviolet B (UVB), one of the harmful radiations for skin, is widely known to induce abnormally increased cytokine release from keratinocytes leading to inflammatory skin disorders. IL-6 and IL-8 induce an acute-phase response and stimulate leukocyte infiltration in the skin. Previous studies have shown that chronic exposure to UVB radiation increases cyclooxygenase-2 (COX­2) expression through various cell signaling pathways, resulting in skin cancer. Recent studies have shown that the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK is strongly correlated with acute inflammation and development of skin cancer caused by an increased expression of COX-2. Ixerisoside A (IXA) is an active constituent of Ixeris dentata of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family. The effect of IXA on skin inflammation has yet to be elucidated. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of IXA, we examined its effect on UVB-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) by observing these cells in the presence or absence of IXA. In this study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rt-pcr), and western blot analysis to evaluate the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). IXA inhibited UVB-induced production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, IXA inhibited the expression of COX-2, ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPKs, indicating that the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, and COX-2 expression was inhibited by blocking MAPK phosphorylation. These results indicated that IXA potentially protects against UVB-induced skin inflammation.

Two minor chalcone acetylglycosides from the roots extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

An extensive phytochemical investigation on the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis led to the isolation of two new minor chalcone acetylglycosides, i.e., 6″-O-acetylisoliquiritin (1) and 6″-O-acetylneoisoliquiritin (2), including 16 kinds of known constituents (3-18) of flavonoids, chalcones and triterpene saponins. The chemical structures of 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic analyses of them, particularly by the aid of two-dimensional NMR experiments, COSY, DEPT, HSQC and HMBC. Some isolated components except 1 and 2 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of cultured tumor cell lines, such as A549, SK-OV-3, A-498, and HCD15, in vitro.

Biological evaluation of tanshindiols as EZH2 histone methyltransferase inhibitors.

EZH2 is the core subunit of Polycomb repressive complex 2 catalyzing the methylation of histone H3 lysine-27 and closely involved in tumorigenesis. To discover small molecule inhibitors for EZH2 methyltransferase activity, we performed an inhibitor screen with catalytically active EZH2 protein complex and identified tanshindiols as EZH2 inhibitors. Tanshindiol B and C potently inhibited the methyltransferase activity in in vitro enzymatic assay with IC50 values of 0.52µM and 0.55µM, respectively. Tanshindiol C exhibited growth inhibition of several cancer cells including Pfeiffer cell line, a diffuse large B cell lymphoma harboring EZH2 A677G activating mutation. Tanshindiol treatment in Pfeiffer cells significantly decreased the tri-methylated form of histone H3 lysine-27, a substrate of EZH2, as revealed by Western blot analysis and histone methylation ELISA. Based on enzyme kinetics and docking studies, we propose that tanshindiol-mediated inhibition of EZH2 activity is competitive for the substrate S-adenosylmethionine. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that tanshindiols possess a unique anti-cancer activity whose mechanism involves the inhibition of EZH2 activity and would provide chemically valuable information for designing a new class of potent EZH2 inhibitors.

Elicitation of induced resistance against Pectobacterium carotovorum and Pseudomonas syringae by specific individual compounds derived from native Korean plant species.

Plants have developed general and specific defense mechanisms for protection against various enemies. Among the general defenses, induced resistance has distinct characteristics, such as broad-spectrum resistance and long-lasting effectiveness. This study evaluated over 500 specific chemical compounds derived from native Korean plant species to determine whether they triggered induced resistance against Pectobacterium carotovorum supsp. carotovorum (Pcc) in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) in Arabidopsis thaliana. To select target compound(s) with direct and indirect (volatile) effects, a new Petri-dish-based in vitro disease assay system with four compartments was developed. The screening assay showed that capsaicin, fisetin hydrate, jaceosidin, and farnesiferol A reduced the disease severity significantly in tobacco. Of these four compounds, capsaicin and jaceosidin induced resistance against Pcc and Pst, which depended on both salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) signaling, using Arabidopsis transgenic and mutant lines, including npr1 and NahG for SA signaling and jar1 for JA signaling. The upregulation of the PR2 and PDF1.2 genes after Pst challenge with capsaicin pre-treatment indicated that SA and JA signaling were primed. These results demonstrate that capsaicin and jaceosidin can be effective triggers of strong induced resistance against both necrotrophic and biotrophic plant pathogens.

Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli O157:H7 biofilm formation by plant metabolite ε-viniferin.

Pathogenic biofilms are associated with persistent infection due to their high resistances to diverse antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infects plants, animals, and humans and is a major cause of nosocomial diseases in patients with cystic fibrosis. In the present study, the antibiofilm abilities of 522 plant extracts against P. aeruginosa PA14 were examined. Three Carex plant extracts at a concentration of 200 µg/mL inhibited P. aeruginosa biofilm formation by >80% without affecting planktonic cell growth. In the most active extract of Carex pumila , resveratrol dimer ε-viniferin was one of the main antibiofilm compounds against P. aeruginosa. Interestingly, ε-viniferin at 10 µg/mL inhibited biofilm formation of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 by 98%. Although Carex extracts and trans-resveratrol are known to possess antimicrobial activity, this study is the first to report that C. pumila extract and ε-viniferin have antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa and E. coli O157:H7.

Anti-inflammatory effects of tectroside on UVB-induced HaCaT cells.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation causes skin damage and inflammation by inducing the secretion of various cytokines, which are immune regulators produced by cells. To prevent skin inflammation, keratinocytes that have been irreversibly damaged by UVB must be eliminated through apoptosis. Ixeris dentata (I. dentata) (family Asteraceae) is a perennial medicinal herb indigenous to Korea. It is used in Korea, China and Japan to treat indigestion, pneumonia, diabetes, hepatitis, contusions and tumors. Guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the whole extract of I. dentata. This led to the isolation of the anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone compound tectroside (TES), which was tested on a human keratinocyte cell line. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of TES, we examined its influence on UVB-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) by observing these cells in the presence or absence of TES. In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis to evaluate the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). TES inhibited UVB-induced production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, TES inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and the phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPKs, suggesting that it inhibits the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 and COX-2 expression by blocking MAPK phosphorylation. These results suggest that TES can potentially protect against UVB-induced skin inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory effects of the Zingiber officinale roscoe constituent 12-dehydrogingerdione in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells.

Ginger has long been used worldwide as a spice, seasoning, and wine and is also used as a traditional medicine. There have been no previous studies of the potential beneficial effects of the ginger constituent 12-dehydrogingerdione (12-DHGD). We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of 12-DHGD on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. The cytotoxicity of 12-DHGD was measured using the MTT assay, and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was measured by ELISA. Production of nitric oxide (NO) was measured using Griess reagent and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO (iNOS) enzymes was assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Treatment of Raw 264.7 cells with 12-DHGD significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated production of NO (at 12-DHGD concentrations of 150 and 200 ng/ml), IL-6 (at 50, 100, 150, and 200 ng/ml), and PGE2 (at 200 ng/ml). Consistent with the effects on NO and PGE2 production, 12-DHGD treatment also inhibited the LPS-stimulated increase in iNOS and COX-2 mRNA levels. However, 12-DHGD did not affect production of IL-1ß or TNF-α in response to LPS. 12-DHGD, a constituent of ginger, is a potent inhibitor of proinflammatory mediator production in Raw 264.7 macrophage cells.

1-Dehydro-[10]-gingerdione from ginger inhibits IKKß activity for NF-κB activation and suppresses NF-κB-regulated expression of inflammatory genes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pungent constituents of ginger (Zingiber officinale) have beneficial effects on inflammatory pain and arthritic swelling. However, the molecular basis for these pharmacological properties is only partially understood. Here, we investigated the molecular target of 1-dehydro-[10]-gingerdione (D10G), one of the pungent constituents of ginger, that mediates its suppression of NF-κB-regulated expression of inflammatory genes linked to toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated innate immunity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: RAW 264.7 macrophages or primary macrophages-derived from bone marrows of C57BL/6 or C3H/HeJ mice were stimulated with the TLR4 agonist LPS in the presence of D10G. Catalytic activity of inhibitory κB (IκB) kinase ß (IKKß) was determined by a kinase assay and immunoblot analysis, and the expression of inflammatory genes by RT-PCR analysis and a promoter-dependent reporter assay. KEY RESULTS: D10G directly inhibited the catalytic activity of cell-free IKKß. Moreover, D10G irreversibly inhibited cytoplasmic IKKß-catalysed IκBα phosphorylation in macrophages activated by TLR agonists or TNF-α, and also IKKß vector-elicited NF-κB transcriptional activity in these cells. These effects of D10G were abolished by substitution of the Cys(179) with Ala in the activation loop of IKKß, indicating a direct interacting site of D10G. This mechanism was shown to mediate D10G-induced disruption of NF-κB activation in LPS-stimulated macrophages and the suppression of NF-κB-regulated gene expression of inducible NOS, COX-2 and IL-6. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates that IKKß is a molecular target of D10G involved in the suppression of NF-κB-regulated gene expression in LPS-activated macrophages; this suggests D10G has therapeutic potential in NF-κB-associated inflammation and autoimmune disorders.

Inhibition of LPS binding to MD-2 co-receptor for suppressing TLR4-mediated expression of inflammatory cytokine by 1-dehydro-10-gingerdione from dietary ginger.

Myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD-2) is a co-receptor of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) for innate immunity. Here, we delineated a new mechanism of 1-dehydro-10-gingerdione (1D10G), one of pungent isolates from ginger (Zingiber officinale), in the suppression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced gene expression of inflammatory cytokines. 1D10G inhibited LPS binding to MD-2 with higher affinity than gingerol and shogaol from dietary ginger. Moreover, 1D10G down-regulated TLR4-mediated expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or activating protein 1 (AP1)-target genes such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß, as well as those of interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 3 (IRF3)-target IFN-ß gene and IFN-γ inducible protein 10 (IP-10) in LPS-activated macrophages. Taken together, MD-2 is a molecular target in the anti-inflammatory action of 1D10G.

Decursin, an active compound isolated from Angelica gigas, inhibits fat accumulation, reduces adipocytokine secretion and improves glucose tolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet.

Decursin (De), an active component of Angelica gigas, is known to exert anticancer and neuroprotective effects. However, its antiobesity and antidiabetic potential has not yet been investigated. This study evaluated the antiobesity effect of decursin, particularly focusing on its ability to inhibit adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Decursin treatment resulted in the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and the expression of fatty acid synthase. The study further investigated these antiobesity effects using mice fed a normal diet (ND), a high-fat diet (HFD) and a HFD plus decursin 200 mg/kg diet (HFD + De) for 7 weeks. Mice administered HFD plus decursin showed a drastic decrease in weight gain, triglyceride content, total cholesterol content and fat size compared with those that received the HFD alone; this was observed despite similar quantities of total food intake. Furthermore, decursin improved glucose tolerance in mice fed a HFD. Finally, administration of decursin along with the HFD significantly reduced the secretion of HFD-induced adipocytokines such as leptin, resistin, IL-6 and MCP-1. These results suggest that decursin might be useful for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Hepatoprotective effect of Platycodon grandiflorum against chronic ethanol-induced oxidative stress in C57BL/6 mice.

AIMS: This study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) in ethanol (EtOH)-induced liver damage. METHODS AND RESULTS: PG treatment (both the total extract and saponin fraction) significantly blocked EtOH-induced oxidative stress through the preservation of activities of antioxidant enzymes in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, while the administration of EtOH to C57BL/6 mice for 6 weeks induced liver damage, along with a significant increase in plasma glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, hepatic triglyceride and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels, PG treatment significantly decreased glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, hepatic triglyceride and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels compared with the EtOH-treated control group (p < 0.05). Histological observation by hematoxylin-eosin and oil red O staining in the liver showed more effective inhibition of lipid accumulation in PG-treated groups, as compared to the EtOH-treated control group. Additionally, PG treatments appeared to enhance the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PG has a protective effect against EtOH-induced oxidative damage, possibly by inhibition of lipid accumulation and peroxidation through the enhancement of the antioxidant defense system. PG might be useful as a therapeutically potent natural ingredient for the prevention of chronic EtOH-induced oxidative stress and liver damage.

New guaiane sesquiterpene lactones from Ixeris dentata.

Three new guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones (1-3), together with nine related sesquiterpenes (4-12), were isolated from the whole extract of Ixeris dentata (Asteraceae). The chemical structures of isolates 1-12 were established by spectroscopic analyses as 3 ß,8 ß-dihydroxy-guaia-10(14)-en-1 α,4 α,5 α,6 ß,7 α,11 ßH-12,6 α-olide (1), ixerin N 6'- O-acetate (2), ixerisoside A 6'- O-acetate (3), ixerin N ( 4), ixerisoside A (5), ixerin M (6), tectroside (7), 8-epidesacylcynaropicrin glucoside (8), 8-epiisolipidiol (9), 11 ßH-11,13-dihydrointegrifolin (10) 8 ß-hydroxy-4 ß,15-dihydrozaluzanin C (11), and integrifolin (12). Compounds 1-12 were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the proliferation of the cultured human tumor cell lines MES-SA, MES-SA/DX5, HCT-15, and HCT15/CL02 in vitro.

Galbanic acid, a cytotoxic sesquiterpene from the gum resin of Ferula asafoetida, blocks protein farnesyltransferase.

Farnesylation of the activated RAS oncogene product by protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) is a critical step for its oncogenic function. Bioassay-guided purification of Ferula asafoetida (Umbelliferae) extract led to the isolation of the coumarin-derived sesquiterpene galbanic acid (1) as an active principal for FTase inhibitory activity, together with the four structurally related sesquiterpenes karatavicinol (2), umbelliprenin (3), farnesiferol B (4), and farnesiferol C (5). The 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC (50)) of 1 against FTase in an enzyme-based assay was calculated as 2.5 µM. Compound 1 also demonstrated potent inhibition of the proliferation of oncogenic RAS-transformed NIH3T3/Hras-F in a dose-dependent manner. The IC (50) value of 1 on the proliferation of oncogenic RAS-transformed NIH3T3/Hras-F cells was calculated as 16.2 µM, whereas its IC (50) value on control vector-transfected normal RAS-containing NIH3T3/ZIPneo cells was 58.5 µM.

Euonymus alatus extract attenuates LPS-induced NF-κB activation via IKKß inhibition in RAW 264.7 cells.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects with the extract of Euonymus alatus (EEA), and specially focused on nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway by targeting the IκB kinase ß (IKKß). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of EEA for IKKß activity was analyzed using an immobilized metal affinity for phosphochemicals (IMAP)-based time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay. The effect of EEA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NF-κB activation in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells with western blotting and immunofluorescent staining was evaluated. RESULTS: IKKß studies based on IMAP-TR-FRET showed that EEA possesses a potent IKKß inhibitory activity with IC(50) value of 11.83µg/ml. EEA (10, 30µg/ml) also attenuated the LPS-induced IκBα phosphorylation/degradation, NF-κB translocation and subsequent NO synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EEA abrogates LPS-induced NF-κB signaling pathway by targeting the IKKß in RAW 264.7 cells and these properties may provide a molecular basis for understanding the inhibitory effects of EEA on LPS-mediated inflammation.

Galbanic acid isolated from Ferula assafoetida exerts in vivo anti-tumor activity in association with anti-angiogenesis and anti-proliferation.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether galbanic acid (GBA) exerts anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer activities. METHODS: Using human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model, we analyzed effects of GBA on cellular and molecular events related to angiogenesis. We tested its direct anti-proliferative action on mouse Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells and established its in vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor efficacy using LLC model. RESULTS: GBA significantly decreased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation and inhibited VEGF-induced migration and tube formation of HUVECs. These effects were accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and AKT, and decreased expression of VEGFR targets endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cyclin D1 in VEGF-treated HUVECs. GBA also decreased LLC proliferation with an apparent G2/M arrest, but did not induce apoptosis. In vivo, inclusion of GBA in Matrigel plugs reduced VEGF-induced angiogenesis in mice. Galbanic acid given by daily i.p. injection (1 mg/kg) inhibited LLC-induced angiogenesis in an intradermal inoculation model and inhibited the growth of s.c. inoculated LLC allograft in syngenic mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed decreased CD34 microvessel density index and Ki-67 proliferative index in GBA-treated tumors. CONCLUSIONS: GBA exerts anti-cancer activity in association with anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative actions.