Juniperus rigida Sieb. extract inhibits inflammatory responses via attenuation of TRIF-dependent signaling and inflammasome activation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Juniperus rigida Sieb. (J. rigida) is used for medicinal purposes in Asian countries to treat inflammation-related disorders, such as neuralgia, dropsy, and gout. AIM OF THE STUDY: The anti-inflammatory effects of J. rigida extract (JR) and its underlying mechanisms were explored both in in vitro cell lines and in vivo metabolic disease models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophages were used to study the changes in inflammatory responses in vitro. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were used to study the regulatory effect of JR on inflammasome activation. The murine model for monosodium urate (MSU)-induced peritonitis and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes were employed to study the effect of JR on in vivo efficacy. RESULTS: JR suppressed the MSU-induced in vivo inflammatory response by attenuation of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). In the in vitro study, JR suppressed IL-1ß secretion via regulation of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) oligomerization, leading to the inhibition of inflammasome activation. JR also inhibited the LPS-stimulated release of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. The inhibitory effects of JR were mediated through the regulation of the TRIF-dependent signaling pathway from JAK1/STAT1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, JR showed inhibitory effects on HFD-induced type 2 diabetes in a mouse model through the regulation of blood glucose and serum IL-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that JR attenuates both LPS-stimulated and danger-signal-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages via regulation of the key inflammatory mechanisms, providing scientific support for its traditional use in the treatment of various inflammation-related metabolic disorders.

Syneilesis palmata (Thunb.) Maxim. extract attenuates inflammatory responses via the regulation of TRIF-dependent signaling and inflammasome activation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Syneilesis palmata (Thunb.) Maxim. (S. palmata, Asteraceae) is a traditional Korean therapeutic herb widely used to treat pain, arthritis, and other symptoms. This study provides the scientific basis for the anti-inflammatory effects of S. palmata extract (SP) in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages were used to study the regulatory effect of SP on the inflammatory mediators in vitro. Bone marrow-derived macrophages were used to study the effects of SP on inflammasome activation. Escherichia coli-induced sepsis mouse model and LPS-induced endotoxin shock model were employed to study the effect of SP on in vivo efficacy. RESULTS: SP inhibited the LPS-stimulated release of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide and interleukin (IL)-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. SP treatment also attenuated IL-1ß secretion via the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by monosodium urate, ATP, and nigericin. Further, SP ameliorated the severity of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated symptoms in LPS-induced endotoxin and E. coli-induced sepsis mouse models. Mechanistic studies revealed that inhibitory effects of SP were mediated through the regulation of TRIF-dependent signaling and inflammasome activation. CONCLUSION: This study was the first to reveal mechanistic-based evidence substantiating the traditional claims of SP in the treatment of inflammation-related disorders, such as pain and arthritis.