Cucurbitacin E glucoside alleviates concanavalin A-induced hepatitis through enhancing SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibiting NF-ĸB/NLRP3 signaling pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cucurbitacins are highly oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoids, that represent the major metabolites reported from C. colocynthis (L.) Schrad.. Cucurbitacin E glucoside (CuE) is a tetracyclic triterpene glycoside separated from Cucurbitaceae plants. CuE has potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-tumor properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: The current study aimed at examining the hepatoprotective effect of CuE against concanavalin A (Con A)-produced hepatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were intravenously administered Con A (15 mg/kg) to induce AIH. CuE was orally administered at two different doses for five days preceding Con A injection. RESULTS: The results revealed that CuE pretreatment markedly attenuated the serum indices of hepatotoxicity and the severity of hepatic lesions. CuE depressed Con A-provoked increment in CD4+ T-cells in hepatic tissue. The antioxidant activity of CuE was evident through its ability to decrease markers of Con A-induced oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxyenonanal, and protein carbonyl) and intensified the antioxidants in the hepatic tissue (SOD, GSH, and TAC). CuE increased mRNA expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 as well as its binding capacity. Subsequently, CuE augmented mRNA expression of Nrf2 targeted genes as NQO1, GCL, and HO-1 and recovered its normal level. CuE inhibited the activation of NF-κB/downstream pro-inflammatory mediators signaling. Furthermore, CuE attenuated the mRNA expression of NLRP3 and its associated genes. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results demonstrated the remarkable hepatoprotective potential of CuE towards Con A-induced AIH which was mediated via suppression of oxidative stress, enhancing SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1, and prohibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling. CuE could be a candidate for hepatitis patients.

Structurally diverse biflavonoids from the fruits of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle and their hypolipidemic and immunosuppressive activities.

The fruit of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle is not only used as a traditional medicinal plant, but also served as a delicious food. Six new (3'→7″)-biflavonoids (1-6), and twelve known biflavonoid derivatives (7-18) were isolated and characterized from the fruits of C. medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle for the first time. Their structures were determined by extensive and comprehensive analyzing NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, and IR spectral data coupled with the data described in the literature. Compounds (1-18) were evaluated for their hypolipidemic activities with Orlistat as the positive control, and assayed for their immunosuppressive activities with Dexamethasone as the positive control, respectively. Among them, compounds (1-3) exhibited moderate inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity by inhibiting 68.56 ± 1.40%, 56.18 ± 1.57%, 53.51 ± 1.59% of pancreatic lipase activities at the concentration of 100 µM, respectively. Compounds (4-6) and 8 showed potent immunosuppressive activities with the IC50 values from 16.83 ± 1.32 to 50.90 ± 1.79 µM. The plausible biogenetic pathway and preliminary structure activity relationship of the selected compounds were scientifically summarized and discussed in this study.

4,21-Secovincanol, a Novel Immunosuppressive Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid from Kopsia Hainanensis.

4,21-Secovincanol (1), a novel C-21/N-4 cleavage monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, along with four analogs (2-5), were obtained from the aerial parts of Kopsia hainanensis. Structurally, compound 1 might be a derivative of epivincanol (2) via C-21/N-4 cleavage. Their structures were confirmed by means of comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with the reported data. All isolates significantly inhibited Con A-stimulated mice splenocytes proliferation at 10-40 µM in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Especially, compound 3 exhibited potent activities comparable to positive control (Dexamethasone, DXM).

The effect of chronic supplementation of Nigella sativa on splenocytes response in rats following treadmill exercise.

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) was shown to recover fatigue and imbalanced immune system. Therefore, effect of chronic administration of N. sativa hydroethanolic extract on splenocytes response in sedentary and exercised animals, was evaluated. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into non-treated (control sedentary (C), moderately trained (MT; Velocity 20 m/min, 30 min/day 8 weeks), and over-trained (OT; Velocity 25 m/min, 60 min/day 11 weeks)), and N. sativa-treated animals (Nisa, 200 mg/kg, orally) (control (Nisa-C), moderately trained (Nisa-MT) and over-trained (Nisa-OT)). Finally, cell viability and proliferation, as well as interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion in non-stimulated and concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocytes, were evaluated. In the absence of the mitogen, cell viability in Nisa-C and Nisa-OT, cell proliferation in Nisa-C and Nisa-MT, IFN-γ concentration in Nisa-MT and Nisa-OT and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in Nisa C, Nisa-MT and Nisa-OT were higher compared to non-treated groups; but, IL-4 level in Nisa-MT was lower than non-treated groups. In the presence of the mitogen, cell viability in Nisa-C and Nisa-OT, IL-4 concentration in Nisa-C and Nisa-OT groups, and IFN-γ concentration and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in Nisa-MT were higher, while IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was lower in Nisa-C group compared to non-treated groups. Moreover, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in stimulated and non-stimulated splenocytes supernatant was higher in Nisa-MT compared to Nisa-C and Nisa-OT groups. N. sativa chronic administration may shift Th1/Th2 cytokines profile of splenocytes towards Th1, especially in over-trained and non-stimulated condition. Moderate exercise and N. sativa supplementation may improve disorders associated with elevated Th2 such as overtraining syndrome.

Anti-proliferative effect of pomegranate peel extracts on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Pomegranate peel extracts prepared in our laboratories from a waste of juice fruit processing were tested on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells to evaluate the effects on viability, oxidative stress and proliferation. The (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay pointed out that the extracts were not cytotoxic at the tested concentrations (0.1, 1.0, and 10 µg/mL). A moderate protective effect against Reactive Oxygen Species production induced by hydrogen peroxide or lipopolysaccharide and a significant anti-proliferative activity against proliferation induced by concanavalin A were observed on cell lines treated with the extracts at 10 µg/mL. Based on these results, pomegranate peel extracts seem promising as feed supplement for dairy cattle, in particular around calving, when the animals are subjected to an increase of the metabolic activity, responsible for oxidative stress and diseases. However, in vivo studies are needed to investigate the stability of the extracts across the bovine gastrointestinal tract barrier.

Stimulatory effect of Holy basil and Thai basil on mouse spleen cell proliferation.

Study was conducted on mouse spleen cells, cultured and incubated in-vitro with Holy basil and Thai basil, to observe their effect on proliferation. Four dilutions, namely 1:1, 1:5, 1:25, and 1:125, for both Holy basil and Thai Basil were used separately, in presence and absence of mitogen, Concanavalin A (Con A) to stimulate the T cells. Cell proliferation was monitored by 3 H- thymidine radioisotope incorporation. Spleen cells (macrophages, B and T cells) showed significantly more proliferation at 1:1 dilution than control (cells with no factor), incubated with Holy basil (in assay without Con A). Spleen T cells, however, did not show any significance in proliferation at same dilution, 1:1, with Holy basil with Con A. All other dilutions (with or without Con A), for either Holy basil or Thai basil, did not show any significant changes in proliferation when compared to control.

Alopecines A-E, five chloro-containing matrine-type alkaloids with immunosuppressive activities from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides.

Alopecines A-E (1-5), five unusual matrine-type alkaloids featuring with an additional dichlorocyclopropane (1-3) or a di/tri-chloromethyl (4/5) attached on the D ring, were isolated from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic techniques, and X-ray diffraction analyses or time-dependent density functional theory-based electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations. Alkaloid 4 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the proliferation of ConA-induced T lymphocytes or LPS-induced B cells with IC50 value of 3.98 or 3.74 µM, respectively.

Korean Red Ginseng Plays An Anti-Aging Role by Modulating Expression of Aging-Related Genes and Immune Cell Subsets.

Despite previous reports of anti-aging effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG), the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study investigated possible mechanisms of KRG-mediated anti-aging effects in aged mice. KRG significantly inhibited thymic involution in old mice. Interestingly, KRG only increased protein expression, but not mRNA expression, of aging-related genes Lin28a, GDF-11, Sirt1, IL-2, and IL-17 in the thymocytes of old mice. KRG also modulated the population of some types of immune cells in old mice. KRG increased the population of regulatory T cells and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-expressing natural killer (NK) cells in the spleen of old mice, but serum levels of regulatory T cell-specific cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß were unaffected. Finally, KRG recovered mRNA expression of Lin28a, GDF-11, and Sirt1 artificially decreased by concanavalin A (Con A) in both thymocytes and splenocytes of old mice without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that KRG exerts anti-aging effects by preventing thymic involution, as well as modulating the expression of aging-related genes and immune cell subsets.

Total flavonoids from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum ameliorates inflammatory stress in concanavalin A-induced autoimmune hepatitis mice by regulating Treg/Th17 immune homeostasis.

OBJECTIVE: Tetrastigma hemsleyanum, a rare and endangered medicinal plant, has attracted much attention due to its immunoregulatory and hepatoprotective activities. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of total flavonoids from T. hemsleyanum(TFT)on Con A-induced hepatitis in mice. METHODS: TFT (1, 2 and 4 g/kg) and a positive control drug bifendate (200 mg/kg) were administered intragastrically to mice once daily for 10 consecutive days. On the 10th day, the model autoimmune of hepatitis was established by intravenous injection of Con A (20 mg/kg) 1 h after drug administration. Liver injury was assessed by serum levels of alanine amino transferase (ALT and AST) and histopathology 8 h after Con A injection. The levels of pro-inflammatory Th17 cytokines (IL-17, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory Treg cytokines (IL-10, TGF-ß1) in serum were evaluated by ELISA, the levels of Th17 and Treg cells infiltrated into spleen were investigated by flow cytometry methods, and hepatic tissue transcription factor Foxp3 and RORγt mRNA were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Pretreatment with TFT and bifendate significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT and AST, and attenuated histopathological alterations in Con A-induced liver injury. With respect to samples treated with Con A alone, TFT and bifendate pretreatments differentially attenuated the increase of serum inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-6 levels, the proportions of Th17 cells in spleen and the expression of RORγt in hepatic tissues. Meanwhile, TFT and bifendate pretreatments could enhance the percentage of Treg cells in spleen and the expression of Foxp3 in hepatic tissues, as well as the levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, IL-10 in serum. CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory effects of TFT was mediated by regulating Treg/Th17 immune homeostasis, which, therefore, suppressed the inflammatory immune response. This study provided scientific basis for the further researches and clinical applications of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum.

Mitogen-Induced Interferon Gamma Production in Human Whole Blood: The Effect of Heat and Cations.

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are blood tests used to measure the amount of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) released by T lymphocytes after stimulation by antigens specific for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. A mitogen serves as a positive control to assess the immune function in IGRAs. METHODS: This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate IFN-γ production by human whole blood stimulated with heat-treated and/or cation-supplemented phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM), using QuantiFERON-TB Gold Kit ELISA tests. RESULTS: The optimal concentrations of PWM, Con A and PHA for IGRAs were 2 µg/mL, 5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL, respectively. The results showed that IFN-γ production in response to PWM was the highest and PHA was the lowest amount. The median values of three mitogens were in the following order: PWM≥Con A≥ positive control>>PHA-P>>negative control. PWM and PHA were heat stable, while Con A was heat sensitive. The mitogen response of lymphocytes to untreated or heat-treated PWM and heat-treated Con A was increased in 1 mM Ca2+-supplemented groups, whereas the response to heat-treated PHA was decreased. Exposure to 1 mM Mg2+ had no effect on untreated or heat-treated PWM, and a concentration of 1 mM Zn2+ inhibited the stimulation of un-treated PWM. We found that calcium supplementation improved the PWM-induced production of IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: Therefore, PWM is an appropriate mitogen for use as a positive control in IGRAs. It is a potential indicator of cytokine production in the diagnostic as well as research settings, and calcium supplementation improved stimulation.

Selenium-biofortified corn peptides: Attenuating concanavalin A-Induced liver injury and structure characterization.

The relationship between hepatoprotective effects of selenium-biofortified corn (Zea mays Linn) peptides (SeCPs) and its antioxidant ability was evaluated and the structure of SeCPs was identified. SeCPs and corn peptides (CPs) both had good antioxidant ability, and the effect of SeCPs was significantly higher than CPs within a certain concentration range (P < 0.05). Additionally, animal experiments indicated that SeCPs (200 mg/kg) had a significantly protective effect against concanavalin A (Con A) induced hepatic lesions, as it significantly declined glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) activities, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon (IFN)-γ contents in serum, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in liver (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in liver were also significantly increased by SeCPs (P < 0.05). The amino acid composition of SeCPs with Mw < 1 kDa was mainly glutamic acid (Glu, 31.18%), leucine (Leu, 21.06%) and alanine (Ala, 13.26%). According to the retention time, the amino acid sequences of 8 selenium-biofortified corn peptides and 29 selenium-free corn peptides were identified. Our results illustrated that the mechanisms of SeCPs against Con A induced hepatic injury in mice may be related to its antioxidant ability and reduction of lipid peroxidation, inhibiting the release of immune factors, such as TNF-α and IFN-γ.

Biophysical evidence for differential gallated green tea catechins binding to membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase and its interactors.

Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is a transmembrane MMP which triggers intracellular signaling and regulates extracellular matrix proteolysis, two functions that are critical for tumor-associated angiogenesis and inflammation. While green tea catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), are considered very effective in preventing MT1-MMP-mediated functions, lack of structure-function studies and evidence regarding their direct interaction with MT1-MMP-mediated biological activities remain. Here, we assessed the impact in both cellular and biophysical assays of four ungallated catechins along with their gallated counterparts on MT1-MMP-mediated functions and molecular binding partners. Concanavalin-A (ConA) was used to trigger MT1-MMP-mediated proMMP-2 activation, expression of MT1-MMP and of endoplasmic reticulum stress biomarker GRP78 in U87 glioblastoma cells. We found that ConA-mediated MT1-MMP induction was inhibited by EGCG and catechin gallate (CG), that GRP78 induction was inhibited by EGCG, CG, and gallocatechin gallate (GCG), whereas proMMP-2 activation was inhibited by EGCG and GCG. Surface plasmon resonance was used to assess direct interaction between catechins and MT1-MMP interactors. We found that gallated catechins interacted better than their ungallated analogs with MT1-MMP as well as with MT1-MMP binding partners MMP-2, TIMP-2, MTCBP-1 and LRP1-clusterIV. Overall, current structure-function evidence supports a role for the galloyl moiety in both direct and indirect interactions of green tea catechins with MT1-MMP-mediated oncogenic processes.

Lectin Isolated from Japanese Red Sword Beans (Canavalia gladiata) as a Potential Cancer Chemopreventive Agent.

In this study, we investigated the chemical and biological profile of lectin isolated from Japanese red sword beans (Canavalia gladiata; RSBs). RSB lectin was purified using maltamyl-Sepharose 4B and subjected to amino acid composition and partial amino acid sequencing analyses, and evaluated for blood and carbohydrate specificity, mitogenic activity, splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity, and its effect on B16 melanoma cell proliferation, compared with Concanavalin A (Con A). The amino acid composition and sequences of RSB lectin were similar to those of Con A. RSB lectin showed specificity to mannose, glucose, maltose, methyl-D-mannoside, and thyroglobulin, but not rhamnose, using mouse, sheep, and rabbit erythrocytes. Compared with Con A, RSB lectin showed low resistance to proteases and to temperatures greater than 70 °C, but high mitogenic activity for mouse splenic cells. Notably, while treatment with RSB lectin and Con A (0.01 and 0.1 µg/mL) promoted similar levels of splenic NK cell activity, which were higher than that observed in the control (0 µg/mL) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) (25 U)-treated populations, RBS lectin exerted a significantly stronger anti-proliferative effect than Con A at a concentration of 125.0 µg per well. Overall, our results show that RSB lectin might exert immunological effects on mouse splenic cells and could thus be used as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Japanese red sword bean (RSB) is a tropical perennial legume consumed in many Asian countries. RSB lectin shows specificity to mannose, glucose, maltose, methyl-d-mannoside, and thyroglobulin, but not to rhamnose, using mouse, sheep, and rabbit erythrocytes. RSB lectin exhibits similarities to Concanavalin A in amino acid composition and sequence, shows mitogenic activity for mouse splenic cells and strong anti-proliferative activity for B16 melanoma cells, and also enhances the activity of splenic natural killer (NK) cells against YAC-1 cells. Thus, RSB lectin has the potential to be used as a bioactive protein in medical research.

The therapeutic effects of Yongdamsagan-tang on autoimmune hepatitis models.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immunity disorder that is the result of antibodies in the liver tissue of the patient that are attacked by activated immune cells due to an unknown cause. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Yongdamsagan-tang (YST) extracts and confirm effects on autoimmune hepatitis models as the therapeutic agent using the YST extracted by various solvents. YST, a mixture of 11 herbal extracts, is known in traditional Korean medicine as a widely used treatment for inflammatory diseases. We proposed the AIH-condition in vitro model by the addition of recombinant IL-17A and then observed several markers linked to AIH symptoms, including an increase of IL-6 expression, lipid accumulation, and fibrosis. In AIH-condition hepatic cell model, YST reduced IL-6 expression and lipid accumulation caused by treatment of IL-17 combination in hepatocyte cells. Also, YST blocked several activated fibrosis factors including transforming growth factor-ß (TGF- ß1), collagen type 1 (Col-α1(I)), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in liver stellate cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with YST protected hepatic damage and reduces histological injury by suppressing apoptosis mediator and inflammatory cytokines expression in concanavalin A (Con A)-induced autoimmune hepatitis mice model. The findings here improve our understanding of YST extracted by 80% ethanol, suggesting that YST can be used as a therapeutic treatment for AIH.

[In vitro Modulating Activity of aqueous extracts from American Plants on Chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity on Murine Splenocytes]. / Actividad moduladora in vitro de extractos acuosos de plantas americanas sobre la toxicidad inducida por clorpirifos en esplenocitos murinos.

Background: Chlorpyrifos is an highly toxic pesticide, which can induce immunotoxicity with deleterious effects on health worldwide. On the other hand, American plants can provide derivatives with protective and immunostimulating activity. Thus, plant potential against chlorpyrifos should be assayed. Objective: To identify bioactive aqueous extracts from Lantana grisebachii (LG), Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (AQ), Peumus boldus (PB), and Ilex paraguariensis (IP), against chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity on female Balb/c splenocytes. Material and method: Splenocytes were treated in vitro for 72 hours with 0-35 µg/mL of chlorpyrifos, 0-100 µg/mL of each extract (LG, AQ, PB, IP), and 0-5 µg/mL of concanavalin A. Then, cellular viability and death (resazurin-based and propidium iodide stainings), hydroperoxides, lipoperoxides (xylenol orange-based assay), ?-glutamyl transpeptidase activity (Szasz method) were measured and analyzed statistically. Results: Chlorpyrifos reduced splenocyte viability in a dose-dependent manner, which was counteracted by AQ and IP, which was less active in concanavalin A-responsive cells (p<0.05). Chlorpyrifos toxicity involved ?-glutamyltranspeptidase induction with a consequent peroxide reduction, whereas AQ and mainly IP antagonized these responses (p<0.05). Conclusions: The extracts of Ilex paraguariensis and Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco protected splenocytes in vitro against chlorpyrifos. This effect depended on cellular type, given that concanavalin A-responsive cells were more susceptible to this toxic.

Antecedentes: Clorpirifos es un pesticida altamente tóxico, que puede producir inmunotoxicidad con efectos deletéreos sobre la salud a nivel mundial. Por otro lado, las plantas americanas pueden tener derivados con actividad protectora e inmunoestimulante. Por lo tanto, debe evaluarse el potencial de estas plantas frente a clorpirifos. Objetivo: Identificar extractos acuosos bioactivos de Lantana grisebachii (LG), Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (AQ), Peumus boldus (PB), e Ilex paraguariensis (IP), contra la toxicidad de clorpirifos sobre esplenocitos de hembras Balb/c. Resultados: Esplenocitos fueron tratados in vitro por 72 horas con 0-35 µg/mL de clorpirifos, 0-100 µg/mL de cada extracto (LG, AQ, PB, IP) y 0-5 µg/mL de concanavalina A. Luego, se midió y analizó estadísticamente viabilidad y muerte celular (tinciones de resazurina y yoduro de propidio), hidroperóxidos, lipoperóxidos (ensayos basados en naranja de xilenol), actividad de la ?-glutamiltranspeptidasa (método de Szasz). Conclusiones: Los extractos de Ilex paraguariensis y Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco protegieron in vitro a los esplenocitos frente a clorpirifos. Este efecto dependió del tipo celular, dado que las células inducibles por concanavalina A fueron más susceptibles a este tóxico.

Immunomodulatory effects of turmeric: Proliferation of spleen cells in mice.

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of turmeric on spleen cell proliferation. Cell suspensions of spleen cells from young and aged mice were treated with or without conconavalin A (Con-A) as a proliferation stimulant, and with and without turmeric (20 mg/mL) in different concentrations. Spleen cells from young mice that received turmeric showed significant increase in spleen cell proliferation (P < 0.05), while spleen cells from aged mice that received turmeric showed no significant increase in T lymphocytes. The data indicates that turmeric increases the ability of spleen cells in young mice to proliferate, in vitro.

In vivo and in vitro inhibitory activity of an ethanolic extract of Sargassum fulvellum and its component grasshopper ketone on atopic dermatitis.

The present study investigated the effect of Sargassum fulvellum ethanol extract (SFEE) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice. The severity of skin dermatitis, production of cytokines, and total IgE content were measured, and the histopathological features were analyzed. SFEE decreased the severity of DNCB-induced dermatitis and suppressed the serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-4. In addition, SFEE reduced the production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in mice splenocytes. However, the levels of IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ significantly increased in mice sera and splenocytes. Histological examination revealed decreased dermal thickness and infiltration by mast cells after treatment with SFEE. Furthermore, grasshopper ketone, a compound isolated from SFEE, was found to significantly decrease cytokine production in concanavalin A-stimulated splenocytes from BALB/c mice with no cytotoxicity. Taken together, these results indicate that SFEE and the isolated grasshopper ketone have an inhibitory effect on AD by regulating immune mediators and cells and may be a potential effective alternative therapy for AD.

Anti-inflammatory potential of ursolic acid in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-sensitized and concanavalin A-stimulated cells.

Ursolic acid (3-ß-3-hydroxy-urs-12-ene-28-oic-acid; UA) is a triterpenoid carboxylic acid with various pharmaceutical properties. It is commonly found in apples, basil, berries, rosemary, peppermint, lavender, oregano, thyme, hawthorn and prunes. In the present study, the activities of UA against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv­induced release of a panel of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 from RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, A549 alveolar epithelial cells and in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated rat splenocytes were investigated. In addition, the present study examined the ability of UA to reduce the expression levels of the inflammatory mediators, cyclooxygenase­2 (COX­2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the stimulated cells. The reduction of nitric oxide (NO) release by UA was also examined in the stimulated cells. UA significantly inhibited the mRNA expression levels of TNF­α, IL­1ß and IL­6 in the stimulated cells. The expression levels of COX­2 and iNOS were also suppressed by UA, as was the release of NO at a significant level. The data indicated the potency of UA on different cell types, which may assist in the development of anti­inflammatory drugs. In the case of adjunct host­directed immune therapy for tuberculosis, UA may be used, in addition to established antibiotic therapies, to improve treatment efficacy and outcome due to their anti­inflammatory potential. Further detailed investigations are required to establish its use as an anti-inflammatory.

Anticancer and immunostimulating activities of a novel homogalacturonan from Hippophae rhamnoides L. berry.

Our previous study isolated an anti-fatigue polysaccharide (HRWP) from the Hippophae rhamnoides berry. In this study, using ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography in turn, a water-soluble homogenous polysaccharide HRWP-A was isolated from HRWP. Structural analysis determined that HRWP-A was a polysaccharide with repeating units of (1→4)-ß-d-galactopyranosyluronic residues, of which 85.16% were esterified with methyl groups. An antitumor activity assay showed that HRWP-A could significantly inhibit the Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) growth in tumor-bearing mice. Further experiments suggested that the antitumor effect of HRWP-A might be mediated through immunostimulating activity, as it enhances the lymphocyte proliferation, augments the macrophage activities, as well as promoting NK cell activity and CTL cytotoxicity in tumor-bearing mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a natural antitumor high-methoxyl homogalacturonan pectin from the H. rhamnoides berry-a compound that acts as a potential immunostimulant and anticancer adjuvant.

Sceptridium ternatum attenuates allergic contact dermatitis-like skin lesions by inhibiting T helper 2-type immune responses and inflammatory responses in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Sceptridium ternatum (ST) is a medicinal herb used in folk remedies for the treatment of various disorders such as pertussis, allergic asthma, abdominalgia, diarrhea, and external use for wound healing. However, the biological and pharmacological activities of ST are not fully clarified besides anti-asthmatic effect. OBJECTIVE: We studied a Sceptridium ternatum ethanol extract (ST) with respect to its anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory activities in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, concanavalin A (conA)-stimulated BALB/c mice splenocytes, and a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) mouse model. METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells were pretreated with ST for 1h and then stimulated with LPS. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of ST, the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To determine its anti-allergic effects, splenocytes from BALB/c mice were incubated and stimulated with conA in the absence or presence of ST for 48h. The production of IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ in culture supernatants were evaluated by ELISA. To test the effects of ST on ACD, 100µL of 1% DNCB was applied to the dorsal skin of BALB/c mice for 2 weeks, and ST was administered 2 h before DNCB application. The thicknesses of the epidermis and dermis were determined by skin histological analysis. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels, the production of IL-1ß, IL-4, and IL-6 in dorsal skin tissue, and T helper (Th) 2 cytokines production of CD4(+) T cells were analyzed by ELISA. The expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) both in vitro and in vivo was determined via immunoblotting. RESULTS: In RAW 264.7 cells, ST inhibited LPS-induced inflammation mediator production and NF-κB expression. ST upregulated IFN-γ production and downregulated IL-4 production in conA-stimulated splenocytes. ST application reduced the thicknesses of the epidermis and dermis by decreasing serum IgE level and the expressions of IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, and NF-κB in the dorsal skin of the DNCB-induced ACD model mice. Furthermore, ST treated group showed reduction of the Th2 cytokines production in activated CD4(+) T cells. CONCLUSION: These findings not only indicate that application of ST reduced skin thickening by regulating Th 2-type allergic responses and inhibiting expression of inflammatory mediators in a DNCB-induced ACD mouse model, but also suggest that Sceptridium ternatum is a natural option for the treatment of skin inflammation.