Guettarda crispiflora Vahl Methanol Extract Ameliorates Acute Lung Injury and Gastritis by Suppressing Src Phosphorylation.

Many species in the genus Guettarda are known to exert anti-inflammatory effects and are used as traditional medicinal plants to treat various inflammatory symptoms. However, no studies on the inflammatory activities of Guettarda crispiflora Vahl have been reported. The aim of the study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo the anti-inflammatory effects of a methanol extract of Guettarda crispiflora Vahl (Gc-ME). To determine the anti-inflammatory activity of Gc-ME, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, poly(I:C)-, or Pam3CSK4-treated RAW264.7 cells, HCl/EtOH- and LPS-treated mice were employed for in vitro and in vivo tests. LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells was determined by Griess assays and cytokine gene expression in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells, confirmed by RT- and real-time PCR. Transcriptional activation was evaluated by luciferase reporter gene assay. Target protein validation was assessed by Western blot analysis and cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA) with LPS-treated RAW264.7 and gene-transfected HEK293 cells. Using both a HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis model and an LPS-induced lung injury model, inflammatory states were checked by scoring or evaluating gastric lesions, lung edema, and lung histology. Phytochemical fingerprinting of Gc-ME was observed by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nitric oxide production induced by LPS and Pam3CSK4 in RAW264.7 cells was revealed to be reduced by Gc-ME. The LPS-induced upregulation of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-1ß was also suppressed by Gc-ME treatment. Gc-ME downregulated the promotor activities of AP-1 and NF-κB triggered by MyD88- and TRIF induction. Upstream signaling proteins for NF-κB activation, namely, p-p50, p-p65, p-IκBα, and p-Src were all downregulated by Ch-EE. Moreover, Src was revealed to be directly targeted by Gc-ME. This extract, orally treated strongly, attenuated the inflammatory symptoms in HCl/EtOH-treated stomachs and LPS-treated lungs. Therefore, these results strongly imply that Guettarda crispiflora can be developed as a promising anti-inflammatory remedy with Src-suppressive properties.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Barringtonia angusta methanol extract is mediated by targeting of Src in the NF-κB signalling pathway.

CONTEXT: Among the plants in the genus Barringtonia (Lecythidaceae) used as traditional medicines to treat arthralgia, chest pain, and haemorrhoids in Indonesia, Barringtonia racemosa L. and Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn. have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in systemic inflammatory models. OBJECTIVE: The anti-inflammatory activity of Barringtonia angusta Kurz has not been investigated. We prepared a methanol extract of the leaves and stems of B. angusta (Ba-ME) and systemically evaluated its anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS or Pam3CSK4 for 24 h were treated with Ba-ME (12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 150 µg/mL), and NO production and mRNA levels of inflammatory genes were evaluated. Luciferase reporter gene assay, western blot analysis, overexpression experiments, and cellular thermal shift assay were conducted to explore the mechanism of Ba-ME. In addition, the anti-gastritis activity of Ba-ME (50 and 100 mg/kg, administered twice per day for two days) was evaluated using an HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mouse model. RESULTS: Ba-ME dose-dependently suppressed NO production [IC50 = 123.33 µg/mL (LPS) and 46.89 µg/mL (Pam3CSK4)] without affecting cell viability. Transcriptional expression of iNOS, IL-1ß, COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α and phosphorylation of Src, IκBα, p50/105, and p65 were inhibited by Ba-ME. The extract specifically targeted the Src protein by binding to its SH2 domain. Moreover, Ba-ME significantly ameliorated inflammatory lesions in the HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis model. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The anti-inflammatory activity of Ba-ME is mediated by targeting of the Src/NF-κB signalling pathway, and B. angusta has potential as an anti-inflammatory drug.

Water Extract of Lotus Leaf Alleviates Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy via Regulating Protein Metabolism-Related Pathways in Mice.

Muscle atrophy is an abnormal condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and function and is primarily caused by injury, malnutrition, various diseases, and aging. Leaf of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn), which has been used for medicinal purposes, contains various active ingredients, including polyphenols, and is reported to exert an antioxidant effect. In this study, we investigated the effect of water extract of lotus leaf (LL) on muscle atrophy and the underlying molecular mechanisms of action. Amounts of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg/day LL were administered to dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy mice for 4 weeks. Micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis revealed that the intake of LL significantly increased calf muscle volume, surface area, and density in DEX-induced muscle atrophy mice. Administration of LL recovered moving distance, grip strength, ATP production, and body weight, which were decreased by DEX. In addition, muscle damage caused by DEX was also improved by LL. LL reduced the protein catabolic pathway by suppressing gene expression of muscle atrophy F-Box (MAFbx; atrogin-1), muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1), and forkhead box O (FoxO)3a, as well as phosphorylation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). The AKT-mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway, which is important for muscle protein synthesis, was increased in LL-administered groups. The HPLC analysis and pharmacological test revealed that quercetin 3-O-beta-glucuronide (Q3G) is a major active component in LL. Thus, Q3G decreased the gene expression of atrogin-1 and MuRF1 and phosphorylation of AMPK. This compound also increased phosphorylation levels of mTOR and its upstream enzyme AKT in DEX-treated C2C12 cells. We identified that LL improves muscle wasting through regulation of muscle protein metabolism in DEX-induced muscle atrophy mice. Q3G is predicted to be one of the major active phenolic components in LL. Therefore, we propose LL as a supplement or therapeutic agent to prevent or treat muscle wasting, such as sarcopenia.

Src/NF-κB-Targeted Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Potentilla glabra var. Mandshurica (Maxim.) Hand.-Mazz. Ethanol Extract.

Inflammation is a complex protective response of body tissues to harmful stimuli. Acute inflammation can progress to chronic inflammation, which can lead to severe disease. Therefore, this research focuses on the development of anti-inflammatory drugs, and natural extracts have been explored as potential agents. No study has yet examined the inflammation-associated pharmacological activity of Potentilla glabra Var. mandshurica (Maxim.) Hand.-Mazz ethanol extract (Pg-EE). To examine the mechanisms by which Pg-EE exerts anti-inflammatory effects, we studied its activities in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells and an HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis model. LPS-triggered nitric oxide (NO) release and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) in RAW264.7 cells were suppressed by Pg-EE in a dose-dependent manner. Using a luciferase assay and western blot assay, we found that the NF-κB pathway was inhibited by Pg-EE, particularly by the decreased level of phosphorylated proteins of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) subunits (p65 and p50), inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IκBα), p85, and Src. Using an overexpression strategy, cellular thermal shift assay, and immunoprecipitation analysis, we determined that the anti-inflammatory effect of Pg-EE was mediated by the inhibition of Src. Pg-EE further showed anti-inflammatory effects in vivo in the HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mouse model. In conclusion, Pg-EE exerts anti-inflammatory activities by targeting Src in the NF-κB pathway, and these results suggest that Pg-EE could be used as an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine.

Archidendron lucidum Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects by Targeting PDK1 in the NF-κB Pathway.

Pharmacological activities of some Leguminosae family members were reported. Pharmacological activities of Archidendron lucidum, a Leguminosae family member have never been explored. Therefore, this study investigated anti-inflammatory effects of an Archidendron lucidum methanol extract (Al-ME). In this study, anti-inflammatory effects of Al-ME were investigated in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mice by MTT assay, nitric oxide (NO) production assay, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), luciferase reporter assay, and Western blotting. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified ethnopharmacological compounds in Al-ME. Al-ME inhibited NO production without cytotoxicity in peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS or Pam3CSK4. Al-ME downregulated mRNA expression of inflammatory genes (inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and IL-6). Al-ME exerted anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. HPLC analysis identified quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol as major anti-inflammatory components in Al-ME. Al-ME ameliorated HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis symptoms in mice by suppressing iNOS and IL-6 mRNA expressions and IκBα phosphorylation. Therefore, these results suggest that Al-ME exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by targeting NF-κB signaling pathway, implying that Al-ME could be potent anti-inflammatory medications to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases.