Bioinformatics and in-silico findings reveal medical features and pharmacological targets of biochanin A against colorectal cancer and COVID-19.

Severe mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted from the lack of effective treatment. Although COVID-19 vaccines are available, their side effects have become a challenge for clinical use in patients with chronic diseases, especially cancer patients. In the current report, we applied network pharmacology and systematic bioinformatics to explore the use of biochanin A in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and COVID-19 infection. Using the network pharmacology approach, we identified two clusters of genes involved in immune response (IL1A, IL2, and IL6R) and cell proliferation (CCND1, PPARG, and EGFR) mediated by biochanin A in CRC/COVID-19 condition. The functional analysis of these two gene clusters further illustrated the effects of biochanin A on interleukin-6 production and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction in CRC/COVID-19 pathology. In addition, pathway analysis demonstrated the control of PI3K-Akt and JAK-STAT signaling pathways by biochanin A in the treatment of CRC/COVID-19. The findings of this study provide a therapeutic option for combination therapy against COVID-19 infection in CRC patients.

The Anti-Inflammatory and Uric Acid Lowering Effects of Si-Miao-San on Gout.

Background: Si-Miao-San (SMS) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SMS on gouty arthritis and its potential mechanism of action. Methods: The effects and mechanism of SMS were evaluated in monosodium urate (MSU)-treated mice or macrophages. The expression of cytokines and PI3K/Akt was analyzed using real-time PCR and Western blotting analyses. Macrophage polarization was assessed with immunofluorescence assays, real-time PCR, and Western blotting. Mass spectrometry was used to screen the active ingredients of SMS. Results: Pretreatment with SMS ameliorated MSU-induced acute gouty arthritis in mice with increased PI3K/Akt activation and M2 macrophage polarization in the joint tissues. In vitro, SMS treatment significantly inhibited MSU-triggered inflammatory response, increased p-Akt and Arg-1 expression in macrophages, and promoted M2 macrophage polarization. These effects of SMS were inhibited when PI3K/Akt activation was blocked by LY294002 in the macrophages. Moreover, SMS significantly reduced serum uric acid levels in the hyperuricemia mice. Using mass spectrometry, the plant hormones ecdysone and estrone were detected as the potentially effective ingredients of SMS. Conclusion: SMS ameliorated MSU-induced gouty arthritis and inhibited hyperuricemia. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of SMS may exert anti-inflammatory effects by promoting M2 polarization via PI3K/Akt signaling. Ecdysone and estrone might be the potentially effective ingredients of SMS. This research may provide evidence for the application of SMS in the treatment of gout.

Isolation and Identification of Antiarthritic Constituents from Glycine tabacina and Network Pharmacology-Based Prediction of Their Protective Mechanisms against Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Glycine tabacina (Labill.) Benth is an edible medicinal herb for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment in folk medicine. Current phytochemical research on this dried herb led to the isolation of eight new coumestans, named glytabastan A-H (1-8), and twenty-three known compounds 9-31. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods. The antiarthritic activities of all isolates were evaluated, and the results showed that coumestans 1-6 and 8-10 could inhibit arthritic inflammation in vitro, while coumestans 1, 2, 9, and 10 significantly blocked the osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF) κB ligand (RANKL). Moreover, network pharmacological analysis revealed that the anti-RA effect of G. tabacina involved multitargets, multipathways such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, and various biological processes such as inflammatory response and cytokine-mediated signaling pathways. These results suggested that this species and its novel coumestans could serve as potential antiarthritic agents for functional food or medicinal use.

Sargassum serratifolium Extract Attenuates Interleukin-1ß-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in Chondrocytes by Suppressing the Activation of NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and PI3K/Akt.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that is characterized by irreversible articular cartilage destruction by inflammatory reaction. Among inflammatory stimuli, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) is known to play a crucial role in OA pathogenesis by stimulating several mediators that contribute to cartilage degradation. Recently, the marine brown alga Sargassum serratifolium has been reported to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in microglial and human umbilical vein endothelial cell models using lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor-α, but its beneficial effects on OA have not been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-osteoarthritic effects of ethanol extract of S. serratifolium (EESS) in SW1353 human chondrocytes and, in parallel, primary rat articular chondrocytes. Our results showed that EESS effectively blocked the generation of reactive oxygen species in IL-1ß-treated SW1353 and rat primary chondrocytes, indicating that EESS has a potent antioxidant activity. EESS also attenuated IL-1ß-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2, major inflammatory mediators in these cells, which was associated with the inhibition of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Moreover, EESS downregulated the level of gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3 and -13 in SW1353 chondrocytes treated with IL-1ß, resulting in their extracellular secretion reduction. In addition, the IL-1ß-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was restored by EESS. Furthermore, EESS reduced the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways upon IL-1ß stimulation. These results indicate that EESS has the potential to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through inactivation of the NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that EESS may have the potential for chondroprotection, and extracts of S. serratifolium could potentially be used in the prevention and treatment of OA.

Green tea infusion protects against alcoholic liver injury by attenuating inflammation and regulating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway in C57BL/6 mice.

Alcohol intake is a major risk factor for the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that green tea protects against alcoholic liver injury; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study investigated the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the protective effects of green tea against alcohol-induced liver injury and inflammation. Ethanol was intragastrically administered to male C57BL/6 mice once a day, and the mice were allowed free access to green tea infusion or water for two weeks. We assessed the plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, hepatic contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, malondialdehyde and triglyceride and hepatic mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6). Our results showed that compared with water alone, green tea infusion markedly reduced liver damage, hepatic oxidative stress, hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammatory response. Green tea infusion also significantly reduced hepatic nuclear factor-κB expression and its downstream inflammatory mediators (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2) mRNA levels in ethanol-treated mice. Additionally, green tea infusion significantly activated hepatic phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt), which are associated with the upregulation of phosphorylated eNOS expression and the increase of plasma nitric oxide levels in ethanol-treated mice. Furthermore, the protective effects of green tea infusion were considerably inhibited by the eNOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester in ethanol-treated mice. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the protective effects of green tea infusion on alcohol-induced liver injury and inflammation involve the modulation of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway.

Chemical characterization of a novel polysaccharide ASKP-1 from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch seed and its macrophage activation via MAPK, PI3k/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the immunomodulatory effect of the purified Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch seed polysaccharide (ASKP-1) in RAW264.7 macrophages. Chemical characteristic analysis revealed that ASKP-1 consisted of 14.1% mannose, 56.9% glucose and 19.6% galactose with the average molecular weight of 9.08 × 105 Da and the mixed glycan backbone structure containing 1→4)-Glcp (39.8%), 1→6)-Galp (18.8%), 1→3,6)-Manp (19.6%), 1→)-Glcp (10.8%), 2→6)-Manp (4.0%) and 2→3,5)-Araf (7.0%). In vitro studies showed that ASKP-1 markedly induced the release of cytotoxic molecules (NO and ROS) and secretion of the cytokines (TNF-α, INF-ß, and IL-6) and significantly enhanced the phagocytosis of RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, TLR4 was found to be a recognized target of ASKP-1 and its related mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, including phosphorylated ERK, JNK, p38 and Akt, were rapidly activated by ASKP-1 in RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, ASKP-1 was found to cause the nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor NF-κB subunit p65 and the degradation of IκB-α in RAW264.7 macrophages. All these findings suggest that MAPK, PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways are involved in ASKP-1-induced macrophage activation, and ASKP-1 is a potential immunomodulating function food.

Tricin, flavonoid from Njavara reduces inflammatory responses in hPBMCs by modulating the p38MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways and prevents inflammation associated endothelial dysfunction in HUVECs.

Previous studies revealed the potent anti-inflammatory activity of tricin, the active component of Njavara rice bran. Here, we report the involvement of specific signaling pathways in the protective effect of tricin against LPS induced inflammation in hPBMCs and the role of tricin in modulating endothelial dysfunction in LPS induced HUVECs. Pretreatment with tricin (15µM) significantly inhibited the release of TNF-α and was comparable to the specific pathway blockers like ERK inhibitor (PD98059), JNK inhibitor (SP600125) and p38 inhibitor (SB203580), whereas an increased release of TNF-α was observed in PI3K/Akt inhibitor (LY294002) treated cells. Tricin alone and combination treatment of tricin and SB203580 showed more significant inhibition of activation of COX-2 and TNF-α than that of SB203580 alone treated group. Combination treatment of tricin and LY294002 showed increased activation of COX-2 and TNF-α, proved that PI3K activation is essential for the anti-inflammatory effect of tricin. Studies conducted on HUVECs revealed the protective effect of tricin against endothelial dysfunction associated with LPS induced inflammation by inhibiting the activation of proinflammatory mediators like TNF-α, IFN-γ, MCP 1 by modulating NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. ELISA and flow cytometric analysis again confirmed the protection of tricin against endothelial damage, especially from the decreased activation of cell adhesion molecules like ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-Selectin upon tricin treatment. This work establishes the mechanism behind the potent anti-inflammatory activity of the flavonoid tricin.

Icaritin Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury Via Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Stress Effects in Rats.

Icaritin (ICT) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb proved to be neuroprotective and exerts promoting effects on cardiac differentiation. However, its role in cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury remains largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ICT treatment on MI/R injury and the underlying mechanisms. Rats were subjected to 30 min of myocardial ischemic insult followed by 3 h of reperfusion. ICT (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 10 min before reperfusion. ICT treatment at the dose of 10 and 30 mg/kg improved cardiac function and limited infarct size following MI/R. Meanwhile, ICT reduced plasma creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in I/R heart tissue. Moreover, ICT treatment not only inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α production and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level in myocardium but also reduced the increase in the generation of superoxide content and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and simultaneously increased the anti-oxidant capability in I/R hearts. Furthermore, ICT treatment increased Akt phosphorylation and inhibited PTEN expression in I/R hearts. PI3K inhibitor wortmannin inhibited ICT-enhanced Akt phosphorylation, and blunted ICT-mediated anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and cardioprotection. Our study indicated for the first time that ICT reduces inflammation and oxidative stress and protects against MI/R injury in rats, which might be via a PI3K-Akt-dependent mechanism.

Inhibition of mechanical stress-induced hypertrophic scar inflammation by emodin.

At least 50% of hypertrophic scarring (HS) is characterized by inflammation, for which there is currently no effective treatment available. Emodin is a major component of the widely used Chinese herb, rhubarb, which has been used to treat inflammation in several types of disease. However, few studies have investigated the efficacy of emodin in the treatment of HS. In the present study, a mouse model with mechanical stress­induced HS was used to investigate the effects of emodin (20, 40, 80, or 120 mg/ml) on HS, and to determine the potential underlying mechanisms. Treatment with emodin significantly attenuated HS inflammation, as determined by histopathological assessment of the scar elevation index, collagen structure and inflammation (P<0.05). Furthermore, treatment with emodin (40 mg/ml) markedly inhibited phosphoinositide 3­kinase (PI3K)/Akt activity (P<0.01) and this attenuation was associated with reduced expression levels of tumor necrosis factor­α, interleukin­6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein­1 (P<0.05) in the HS tissue. The results of the present study indicated that administration of emodin had therapeutic effects on the progression of HS and the underlying mechanism of this may be due to inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Dual role of 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone in inhibiting high-mobility group box 1 secretion and blocking its pro-inflammatory activity in hepatic inflammation.

A previous study reported that 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC) had a potential hepatoprotective effect through preventing acute liver injury in mice. This study further evaluated the preventive effects of DMC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated hepatic inflammation and the underlying mechanism in liver macrophage. DMC significantly suppressed LPS-stimulated secretion and nucleocytoplasmic translocation of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). DMC could dose-dependently reduce the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C alpha (PKCα), and phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1). Furthermore, HMGB1 phosphorylation, the interaction between PKC and HMGB1, and the expression of HMGB1-dependent inflammation-related molecules were dose-dependently inhibited by DMC. Finally, DMC could target binding to the B box of HMGB1 by molecular modeling studies. All of these results indicated that DMC exhibited a potential protective effect against hepatitis probably via inhibiting HMGB1 secretion and blocking HMGB1 pro-inflammatory activity.

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of α-viniferin regulates lipopolysaccharide-induced release of proinflammatory mediators in BV2 microglial cells.

α-Viniferin is an oligostilbene of trimeric resveratrol and has anticancer activity; however, the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of α-viniferin has not been completely elucidated thus far. Therefore, we determined the mechanism by which α-viniferin regulates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of proinflammatory mediators in BV2 microglial cells. Treatment with α-viniferin isolated from Clematis mandshurica decreased LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). α-Viniferin also downregulated the LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory genes such as iNOS and COX-2 by suppressing the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) via dephosphorylation of Akt/PI3K. Treatment with a specific NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), indirectly showed that NF-κB is a crucial transcription factor for expression of these genes in the early stage of inflammation. Additionally, our results indicated that α-viniferin suppresses NO and PGE2 production in the late stage of inflammation through induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) regulated by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). Taken together, our data indicate that α-viniferin suppresses the expression of proinflammatory genes iNOS and COX-2 in the early stage of inflammation by inhibiting the Akt/PI3K-dependent NF-κB activation and inhibits the production of proinflammatory mediators NO and PGE2 in the late stage by stimulating Nrf2-mediated HO-1 signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. These results suggest that α-viniferin may be a potential candidate to regulate LPS-induced inflammation.

Arctigenin ameliorates inflammation in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway and polarizing M1 macrophages to M2-like macrophages.

Seeds of Arctium lappa, containing arctigenin and its glycoside arctiin as main constituents, have been used as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying agent in Chinese traditional medicine. In our preliminary study, arctigenin inhibited IKKß and NF-κB activation in peptidoglycan (PGN)- or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced peritoneal macrophages. To understand the anti-inflammatory effect of arctigenin, we investigated its anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages and on LPS-induced systemic inflammation as well as 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in mice. Arctigenin inhibited LPS-increased IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α expression in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, but increased LPS-reduced IL-10 and CD204 expression. Arctigenin inhibited LPS-induced PI3K, AKT and IKKß phosphorylation, but did not suppress LPS-induced IRAK-1 phosphorylation. However, arctigenin did not inhibit NF-κB activation in LPS-stimulated PI3K siRNA-treated peritoneal macrophages. Arctigenin suppressed the binding of p-PI3K antibody and the nucleus translocation of NF-κB p65 in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. Arctigenin suppressed blood IL-1ß and TNF-α level in mice systemically inflamed by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Arctigenin also inhibited colon shortening, macroscopic scores and myeloperoxidase activity in TNBS-induced colitic mice. Arctigenin inhibited TNBS-induced IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6 expression, as well as PI3K, AKT and IKKß phosphorylation and NF-κB activation in mice, but increased IL-10 and CD204 expression. However, it did not affect IRAK-1 phosphorylation. Based on these findings, arctigenin may ameliorate inflammatory diseases, such as colitis, by inhibiting PI3K and polarizing M1 macrophages to M2-like macrophages.

Lipid signaling in T-cell development and function.

Second messenger molecules relay, amplify, and diversify cell surface receptor signals. Two important examples are phosphorylated D-myo-inositol derivatives, such as phosphoinositide lipids within cellular membranes, and soluble inositol phosphates. Here, we review how phosphoinositide metabolism generates multiple second messengers with important roles in T-cell development and function. They include soluble inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate, long known for its Ca(2+)-mobilizing function, and phosphatidylinositol(3,4,5)trisphosphate, whose generation by phosphoinositide 3-kinase and turnover by the phosphatases PTEN and SHIP control a key "hub" of TCR signaling. More recent studies unveiled important second messenger functions for diacylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, and soluble inositol(1,3,4,5)tetrakisphosphate (IP(4)) in immune cells. Inositol(1,3,4,5)tetrakisphosphate acts as a soluble phosphatidylinositol(3,4,5)trisphosphate analog to control protein membrane recruitment. We propose that phosphoinositide lipids and soluble inositol phosphates (IPs) can act as complementary partners whose interplay could have broadly important roles in cellular signaling.

Molecular events in the activation of B cells and macrophages by a non-microbial TLR4 agonist, G1-4A from Tinospora cordifolia.

G1-4A, a polysaccharide from an Indian medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia, was recently shown to protect mice against septic shock by modulating the proinflammatory cytokines. G1-4A also activated B cells polyclonally. The present report describes in detail the molecular events associated with G1-4A-induced immunomodulation in vitro and in vivo. G1-4A treatment led to an increase in the CD69 expression in lymphocytes. G1-4A-induced proliferation of B cells was completely inhibited by PI3K inhibitor Ly294002, mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and NF-kappaB inhibitor plumbagin. Akt, ERK and JNK were activated by G1-4A which finally resulted in the activation of IKK, degradation of IkappaB-alpha and translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus. Administration of G1-4A to mice led to splenomegaly and an increase in the numbers of T cells, B cells and macrophages. This increase in spleen cellularity was due to in vivo proliferation of lymphocytes and upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes. Anti-TLR4-MD2 complex antibody inhibited G1-4A-induced B cell proliferation and degradation of IkappaB-alpha suggesting that TLR-4 was a receptor for G1-4A on B cells. Activation of RAW 264.7 macrophages by G1-4A was found to be dependent on ERK and NF-kappaB-mediated signals. The phagocytosis index in peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) isolated from G1-4A treated mice was significantly higher as compared to that in PEC from control mice. G1-4A administration also increased the number of CD11b(+) cells in the PEC without an increase in the total number of PEC. Thus the present understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of G1-4A, a novel non-microbial TLR4 agonist, will pave the way for its application as an immunomodulator and adjuvant.

Formononetin, a phyto-oestrogen, and its metabolites up-regulate interleukin-4 production in activated T cells via increased AP-1 DNA binding activity.

Phyto-oestrogens are polyphenolic non-steroidal plant compounds with oestrogen-like biological activity. Phyto-oestrogens have many biological effects including oestrogen agonist/antagonist properties. However, the effect of phyto-oestrogens on allergic responses remains unclear. In this study we investigated whether formononetin, a phyto-oestrogen, and its metabolites, daidzein and equol, affect production of interleukin-4 (IL-4), a pro-inflammatory cytokine closely associated with allergic immune response, in primary CD4+ T cells and EL4 T lymphoma cells. Formononetin, daidzein and equol significantly enhanced IL-4 production from both CD4+ T cells and EL4 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Formononetin, daidzein and equol also enhanced IL-4 gene promoter activity in EL4 cells transiently transfected with IL-4 gene promoter constructs, but this effect was impaired in EL4 cells transfected with an IL-4 promoter construct deleted of P4 site carrying nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding sites. In addition, formononetin, daidzein and equol increased AP-1 DNA binding activities while did not affect NF-AT DNA binding activities. The enhancing effects on IL-4 production and AP-1 DNA binding activities were abrogated by specific inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), indicating that formononetin, daidzein and equol might enhance IL-4 production by increased activation of AP-1 through the PI3-K/PKC/p38 MAPK signalling pathway. These results suggest that phyto-oestrogens and some of their metabolites may increase allergic responses via the enhancement of IL-4 production in T cells.