Effects of 3'-isovaleryl-4'-senecioylkhellactone from Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg on PMA-Stimulated Inflammatory Response in A549 Human Lung Epithelial Cells.

Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg (PJT) has been used in traditional medicine to treat colds, coughs, fevers, and other inflammatory diseases. The goal of this study was to investigate whether 3'-isovaleryl-4'-senecioylkhellactone (IVSK) from PJT has anti-inflammatory effects on lung epithelial cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of IVSK were evaluated using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated A549 cells and regular human lung epithelial cells as a reference. IVSK reduced the secretion of the inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and IL-1ß. Additionally, it inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK), p65, Iκ-Bα, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38, JNK, and ERK in A549 cells stimulated with PMA. Moreover, the binding affinity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was significantly reduced in the luciferase assay, while nuclear translocation was markedly inhibited by IVSK in the immunocytochemistry. These findings indicate that IVSK can protect against inflammation through the AP-1 and NF-κB pathway and could possibly be used as a lead compound for the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lagerstroemia ovalifolia Teijsm. & Binn. in TNFα/IFNγ-Stimulated Keratinocytes.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Lagerstroemia ovalifolia Teijsm. & Binn. (LO) has traditionally been used as an herbal medicine for anti-inflammatory diseases. The effect of LO on atopic dermatitis has not been verified scientifically. We investigated the effects of CHCl3 fraction number 5 of LO (LOC) on atopic dermatitis through cell-based experiments. HaCaT cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)/interferon-gamma (IFNγ) to induce an inflammatory reaction. Proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-8, and IL-1ß and chemokines such as thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1/CCL2), and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. In addition, the degree of phosphorylation and activation of JAK/STAT1, PI3K/AKT, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were measured by western blot and luciferase assays. The production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and activation of the JAK/STAT1, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB pathways were induced by TNFα/IFNγ in HaCaT cells. Under these conditions, LOC treatment inhibited the production of targeted cytokines and chemokines and decreased the phosphorylation and activation of JAK/STAT1, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB. These results suggest that LOC reduces the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines by suppressing the JAK/STAT1, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB pathways. Therefore, LOC may have potential as a drug for atopic dermatitis.

Lagerstroemia ovalifolia Exerts Anti- Inflammatory Effects in Mice of LPSInduced ALI via Downregulating of MAPK and NF-κB Activation.

Lagerstroemia ovalifolia Teijsm. & Binn. (LO) (crape myrtle) has reportedly been used as traditional herbal medicine (THM) in Java, Indonesia. Our previous study revealed that the LO leaf extract (LOLE) exerted anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Based on this finding, the current study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of LOLE in a mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). The results showed that treatment with LPS enhanced the inflammatory cell influx into the lungs and increased the number of macrophages and the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice. However, these effects were notably abrogated with LOLE pretreatment. Furthermore, the increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in the lung tissues of mice with ALI was also reversed by LOLE. In addition, LOLE significantly suppressed the LPS-induced activation of the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and led to heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction in the lungs. Additionally, in vitro experiments showed that LOLE enhanced the expression of HO-1 in RAW264.7 macrophages. The aforementioned findings collectively indicate that LOLE exerts an ameliorative effect on inflammatory response in the airway of ALI mice.

Aristolactam BIII, a naturally derived DYRK1A inhibitor, rescues Down syndrome-related phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is a significant pathogenic factor in Down syndrome (DS), wherein DYRK1A is overexpressed by 1.5-fold because of trisomy of human chromosome 21. Thus, DYRK1A inhibition is considered a therapeutic strategy to modify the disease. PURPOSE: This study aims to identify a novel DYRK1A inhibitor and validate its therapeutic potential in DS-related pathological conditions. STUDY DESIGN: In order to identify a novel DYRK1A inhibitor, we carried out two-step screening: a structure-based virtual screening of > 300,000 chemical library (first step) and cell-based nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT)-response element (RE) promoter assay (second step). Primary hits were evaluated for their DYRK1A inhibitory activity using in vitro kinase assay and Tau phosphorylation in mammalian cells. Confirmed hit was further evaluated in pathological conditions including DYRK1A-overexpressing fibroblasts, flies, and mice. RESULTS: We identified aristolactam BIII, a natural product derived from herbal plants, as a novel DYRK1A inhibitor. It potently inhibited the kinase activity of DYRK1A in vitro (IC50 = 9.67 nM) and effectively suppressed DYRK1A-mediated hyperphosphorylation of Tau in mammalian cells. Aristolactam BIII rescued the proliferative defects of DYRK1A transgenic (TG) mouse-derived fibroblasts and neurological and phenotypic defects of DS-like Drosophila models. Oral administration of aristolactam BIII acutely suppressed Tau hyperphosphorylation in the brain of DYRK1A TG mice. In the open field test, aristolactam BIII significantly ameliorated the exploratory behavioral deficit of DYRK1A TG mice. CONCLUSION: Our work revealed that aristolactam BIII as a novel DYRK1A inhibitor rescues DS phenotypes in cells and in vivo and suggested its therapeutic potential for the treatment of DYRK1A-related diseases.

FlexPro MD®, a Combination of Krill Oil, Astaxanthin and Hyaluronic Acid, Reduces Pain Behavior and Inhibits Inflammatory Response in Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of adult disability. Since there is no cure for OA and no effective treatment to slow its progression, current pharmacologic treatments, such as analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), only alleviate symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, but do not inhibit the disease process. Moreover, chronic intake of these drugs may result in severe adverse effects. For these reasons, patients have turned to the use of various complementary and alternative approaches, including diverse dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, in an effort to improve symptoms and manage or slow disease progression. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-osteoarthritic effects of FlexPro MD® (a mixture of krill oil, astaxanthin, and hyaluronic acid; FP-MD) in a rat model of OA induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). FP-MD significantly ameliorated joint pain and decreased the severity of articular cartilage destruction in rats that received oral supplementation for 7 days prior to MIA administration and for 21 days thereafter. Furthermore, FP-MD treatment significantly reduced serum levels of the articular cartilage degeneration biomarkers cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and crosslinked C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II), and the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as mRNA expression levels of inflammatory mediators, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and matrix-degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, in the knee joint tissue. Our findings suggest that FP-MD is a promising dietary supplement for reducing pain, minimizing cartilage damage, and improving functional status in OA, without the disadvantages of previous dietary supplements and medicinal agents, including multiple adverse effects.

Anxiolytic-like effects of the ethanol extract of Magnolia obovata leaves through its effects on GABA-benzodiazepine receptor and neuroinflammation.

Recently, there have been studies that examined the relationship between neuroinflammation and anxiety disorder. Herein, we investigated the anxiolytic effect of a well-studied medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory properties, Magnolia obovata, by conducting cellular and animal studies. At the cellular level, the ethanol extract of M. obovata leaves demonstrated inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines and proteins in cultured BV-2 cells. The extract also enhanced GABA-benzodiazepine receptor activity by increasing chloride ion influx in primary cultured neuronal cells. We also examined the anxiolytic effect of the extract in imprinting control region male mice by conducting several behavioral tests. The mice were administered daily oral dose of M. obovata extract (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. The extract increased the number of entries and time spent in open arms in the elevated plus maze test and decreased locomotor activity in the spontaneous locomotor activity test, thus implying that the extract ameliorated anxiety levels in mice. Furthermore, we found that the extract inhibited the expression of inflammatory proteins and cytokines and enhanced the expression of GABA-benzodiazepine receptor. These results suggest that the ethanol extract of M. obovata leaves may have an anxiolytic effect through enhancement of the GABAergic system and anti-neuroinflammatory mechanisms.

Improvement of spinal muscular atrophy via correction of the SMN2 splicing defect by Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. extract and Bruceine D.

BACKGROUND: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare neuromuscular disease and a leading genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA is caused primarily by the deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which leaves the duplicate gene SMN2 as the sole source of SMN protein. The splicing defect (exon 7 skipping) of SMN2 leads to an insufficient amount of SMN protein. Therefore, correcting this SMN2 splicing defect is considered to be a promising approach for the treatment of SMA. PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify active compounds and extracts from plant resources to rescue SMA phenotypes through the correction of SMN2 splicing. STUDY DESIGN: Of available plant resources, candidates with SMA-related traditional medicine information were selected for screening using a robust luciferase-based SMN2 splicing reporter. Primary hits were further evaluated for their ability to correct the splicing defect and resultant increase of SMN activity in SMA patient-derived fibroblasts. Confirmed hits were finally tested to determine the beneficial effects on the severe Δ7 SMA mouse. METHODS: SMN2 splicing was analyzed using a luciferase-based SMN2 splicing reporter and subsequent RT-PCR of SMN2 mRNAs. SMA phenotypes were evaluated by the survival, body weights, and righting reflex of Δ7 SMA mice. RESULTS: In a screen of 492 selected plant extracts, we found that Brucea javanica extract and its major constituent Bruceine D have SMN2 splicing-correcting activity. Their ability to correct the splicing defect and the resulting increased SMN activity were further confirmed in SMA fibroblasts. Importantly, both B. javanica and Bruceine D noticeably improved the phenotypic defects, especially muscle function, in SMA mice. Reduced expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) contributed to the correction of splicing by B. javanica. CONCLUSION: Our work revealed that B. javanica and Bruceine D correct the SMN2 splicing defect and improve the symptoms of SMA in mice. These resources will provide another possibility for development of a plant-derived SMA drug candidate.

α-Viniferin Improves Facial Hyperpigmentation via Accelerating Feedback Termination of cAMP/PKA-Signaled Phosphorylation Circuit in Facultative Melanogenesis.

Rationale: cAMP up-regulates microphthalmia-associated transcription factor subtype M (MITF-M) and tyrosinase (Tyro) in the generation of heavily pigmented melanosomes. Here, we communicate a therapeutic mechanism of hyperpigmented disorder by α-viniferin, an active constituent of Caragana sinica. Methods: We used cAMP-elevated melanocyte cultures or facial hyperpigmented patches for pigmentation assays, and applied immunoprecipitation, immunobloting, RT-PCR or reporter gene for elucidation of the antimelanogenic mechanism. Results:C. sinica or α-viniferin inhibited melanin production in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-, histamine- or cell-permeable cAMP-activated melanocyte cultures. Moreover, topical application with C. sinica containing α-viniferin, a standard in quality control, decreased melanin index on facial melasma and freckles in patients. As a molecular basis, α-viniferin accelerated protein kinase A (PKA) inactivation via the reassociation between catalytic and regulatory subunits in cAMP-elevated melanocytes, a feedback loop in the melanogenic process. α-Viniferin resultantly inhibited cAMP/PKA-signaled phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) coupled with dephosphorylation of cAMP-regulated transcriptional co-activator 1 (CRTC1), thus down-regulating expression of MITF-M or Tyro gene with decreased melanin pigmentation. Conclusion: This study assigned PKA inactivation, a feedback termination in cAMP-induced facultative melanogenesis, as a putative target of α-viniferin in the treatment of melanocyte-specific hyperpigmented disorder. Finally, C. sinica containing α-viniferin was approved as an antimelanogenic agent with topical application in skin hyperpigmentation.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a methanolic extract of Castanea seguinii Dode in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

Castanea extracts are known to have antioxidant properties and are used as a traditional medicine in China and Asia. However, the biological activity of Castanea seguinii Dode has remained to be fully elucidated. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a Castanea seguinii Dode methanolic extract (CSME) on lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells. CSME inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible NO synthase. It also suppressed the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines inteleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. In addition, CSME inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, while also downregulating transcription factor activator protein-1. Furthermore, CSME increased heme oxygenase 1 through the upregulation of NF (erythroid-derived 2)-like-2 (Nrf-2), which directly or indirectly affects inflammation. It also increased the phosphorylation of 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In conclusion, CSME was demonstrated to exert its anti-inflammatory activities through the inhibition of the NF-κB and the MAPK signaling pathways, as well as the activation of Nrf-2 and AMPK. These results indicated that CSME may be a promising for development as a commercial anti-inflammatory medicine.

Piperidylmethyloxychalcone improves immune-mediated acute liver failure via inhibiting TAK1 activity.

Mice deficient in the toll-like receptor (TLR) or the myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) are resistant to acute liver failure (ALF) with sudden death of hepatocytes. Chalcone derivatives from medicinal plants protect from hepatic damages including ALF, but their mechanisms remain to be clarified. Here, we focused on molecular basis of piperidylmethyloxychalcone (PMOC) in the treatment of TLR/MyD88-associated ALF. C57BL/6J mice were sensitized with D-galactosamine (GalN) and challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 agonist) or oligodeoxynucleotide containing unmethylated CpG motif (CpG ODN, TLR9 agonist) for induction of ALF. Post treatment with PMOC sequentially ameliorated hepatic inflammation, apoptosis of hepatocytes, severe liver injury and shock-mediated death in ALF-induced mice. As a mechanism, PMOC inhibited the catalytic activity of TGF-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) in a competitive manner with respect to ATP, displaced fluorescent ATP probe from the complex with TAK1, and docked at the ATP-binding active site on the crystal structure of TAK1. Moreover, PMOC inhibited TAK1 auto-phosphorylation, which is an axis in the activating pathways of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or activating protein 1 (AP1), in the liver with ALF in vivo or in primary liver cells stimulated with TLR agonists in vitro. PMOC consequently suppressed TAK1-inducible NF-κB or AP1 activity in the inflammatory injury, an early pathogenesis leading to ALF. The results suggested that PMOC could contribute to the treatment of TLR/MyD88-associated ALF with the ATP-binding site of TAK1 as a potential therapeutic target.

Piperlongumine attenuates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through inhibition of NF-kappaB activity.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease in which demyelination sporadically and repeatedly occurs in the central nervous system (CNS). The activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), a family of transcription factors, was increased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or the serum and brain and/or spinal cord of MS patients than in a healthy donors. In our study, we investigated whether piperlongumine (PL), which is known to have inhibitory effect on activity of NF-κB, can alleviate an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG35-55), and then we injected PL (1.5mg/kg/day or 3.0mg/kg/day) into the mice intraperitoneally on every second day from days 2 to 28. For in vitro study, we treated PL (0.5, 1 and 2.5µM) to RAW 264.7 and Jurkat cells with each stimulator. We observed that the paralytic severity and neuropathology of EAE in PL-treated group were decreased compared with the EAE group. PL showed a suppressed effect on demyelination, immune cells infiltration, astrocytes/microglials activation, level of inflammatory cytokines and proteins as well as NF-κB activity. Production of inflammatory cytokines and proteins as well as translocation of NF-κB into nucleus by treatment stimulators in RAW 264.7 and Jurkat cells were reduced by PL. Moreover, treatment of NF-κB inhibitor further inhibited production of inflammatory cytokines and proteins. These results suggest that PL can mitigate MOG-induced EAE symptoms and activation of macrophages and T cells by inhibiting NF-κB signaling. Therefore, PL could be useful for the treatment for MS.

Inhibitory effect of thiacremonone on MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration through inhibition of p38 activation.

Neuroinflammation is implicated for dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Sulfur compounds extracted from garlic have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Previously, we have investigated that thiacremonone, a sulfur compound isolated from garlic has anti-inflammatory effects on several inflammatory disease models. To investigate the protective effect of thiacremonone against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced behavioral impairment and dopaminergic neurodegeneration, 8 week old ICR mice were given thiacremonone (10 mg/kg) in drinking water for 1 month and received intraperitoneal injection of MPTP (15 mg/kg, four times with 2 h interval) during the last 7 days of treatment. Our data showed that thiacremonone decreased MPTP-induced behavioral impairments (Rotarod test, Pole test, and Gait test), dopamine depletion and microglia and astrocytes activations as well as neuroinflammation. Higher activation of p38 was found in the substantia nigra and striatum after MPTP injection, but p38 activation was reduced in thiacremonone treated group. In an in vitro study, thiacremonone (1, 2, and 5 µg/ml) effectively decreased MPP+ (0.5 mM)-induced glial activation, inflammatory mediators generation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in cultured astrocytes and microglial BV-2 cells. Moreover, treatment of p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 (10 µM) further inhibited thiacremonone induced reduction of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. These results indicated that the anti-inflammatory compound, thiacremonone, inhibited neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration through inhibition of p38 activation.

Diterpenoids from the Roots of Euphorbia fischeriana with Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide Production.

Bioactivity-guided isolation of a methanolic extract of Euphorbia fischeriana led to the isolation of four new abietane-type diterpenoids, fischeriolides A-D (1-4), together with 11 known diterpenoids. Their structures were elucidated based on the interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of compound 3 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and electronic circular dichroism methods. Compounds 5-9 exhibited inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC50 values in the range 4.9-12.6 µM.

Thiacremonone Potentiates Anti-Oxidant Effects to Improve Memory Dysfunction in an APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice Model.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by excessive accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aß) peptide. Evidence suggests that amyloid accumulation can be caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. In this study, we examined neuroprotective effects of thiacremonone, an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compound isolated from garlic. Treatment of thiacremonone significantly attenuated cognitive impairments in amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double-mutant transgenic mice. In addition, activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways in the brain was potently inhibited by thiacremonone. We also observed that thiacremonone significantly inhibited activation of NF-κB and ERK pathways induced by H2O2 and Aß1-42 in embryonic neuronal cells. Furthermore, thiacremonone augmented peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) expression in vivo and in vitro associated with reduced oxidative stress of macromolecules such as protein and lipids. This study indicates that thiacremonone might exert memory improvement via stimulating anti-oxidant system. These multiple properties could attenuate Aß accumulation and oxidative stress in Alzheimer's brains. Thus, these results suggest that thiacremonone might be useful to intervene development or progression of neurodegeneration in AD.

Azorella compacta methanolic extract induces apoptosis via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Azorella compacta Phil. (AC) is an alpine medicinal plant used traditionally for antibacterial treatment. Recent studies have revealed that this plant also has anti­diabetic effects, but that it is toxic. The present study investigated the underlying mechanisms of action of AC extract against human leukemia HL60 cells. Apoptosis induction was measured by MTT assay, fluorescence microscopy, DNA fragmentation assay, flow cytometric analysis, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. It was found that AC extract inhibited the growth of HL60 and other cancer cell lines in a dose­dependent manner. The cytotoxic effects of AC extract on HL60 cells were associated with apoptosis characterized by DNA fragmentation and dose­dependent increases in Annexin V­positive cells, as determined by flow cytometric analysis. AC­extract­induced apoptosis was accompanied by activated/cleaved caspase­3, caspase­9 and poly(adenosine diphosphate­ribose) polymerase (PARP). The increases in apoptosis were also associated with decreases of the apoptosis-inhibitor B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl­2), upregulation of pro­apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) protein and downregulation of anti­apoptotic Bcl extra large protein. Furthermore, western blot analysis of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-associated proteins indicated that treatment with AC extract increased the levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38. In addition, the expression of Bax and cleaved PARP was blocked when AC treatment was performed in the presence of MAPK inhibitors. It was therefore concluded that AC induced apoptosis in human leukemia HL60 cells via an intrinsic pathway controlled through MAPK-associated signaling.

Bee venom ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced memory loss by preventing NF-kappaB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Accumulation of beta-amyloid and neuroinflammation trigger Alzheimer's disease. We previously found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) caused neuroinflammation with concomitant accumulation of beta-amyloid peptides leading to memory loss. A variety of anti-inflammatory compounds inhibiting nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) activation have showed efficacy to hinder neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis. We also found that bee venom (BV) inhibits NF-κB. METHODS: A mouse model of LPS-induced memory loss used administration of BV (0.8 and 1.6 µg/kg/day, i.p.) to ICR mice for 7 days before injection of LPS (2.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.). Memory loss was assessed using a Morris water maze test and passive avoidance test. For in vitro study, we treated BV (0.5, 1, and 2 µg/mL) to astrocytes and microglial BV-2 cells with LPS (1 µg/mL). RESULTS: We found that BV inhibited LPS-induced memory loss determined by behavioral tests as well as cell death. BV also inhibited LPS-induced increases in the level of beta-amyloid (Aß), ß-and γ-secretases activities, NF-κB and its DNA-binding activity and expression of APP, and BACE1 and neuroinflammation proteins (COX-2, iNOS, GFAP and IBA-1) in the brain and cultured cells. In addition, pull-down assay and molecular modeling showed that BV binds to NF-κB. CONCLUSIONS: BV attenuates LPS-induced amyloidogenesis, neuroinflammation, and therefore memory loss via inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, BV could be useful for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Saucerneol D inhibits dendritic cell activation by inducing heme oxygenase-1, but not by directly inhibiting toll-like receptor 4 signaling.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Saururus chinensis is a medicinal plant used to treat jaundice, pneumonia, edema, fever, and several inflammatory diseases. Saucerneol D (SD), a lignan constituent of this plant, has antioxidant, anti-asthmatic, and anti-inflammatory activities. SD has been previously reported to inhibit the pro-inflammatory responses of RAW264.7 cells and primary mast cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of SD on the functions of dendritic cells (DCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: SD was isolated from methanol extract of the roots of S. chinensis. Bone marrow-derived DCs were used as target cells. The effects of SD on the following DC functions were examined: surface molecule expression, cytokine expression, migration, allogenic T cell activation, heme oxygenase-1 expression, and Toll-like receptor 4 signaling. RESULTS: In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated DCs, SD inhibited the expression of cell surface molecules (MHC I/II, CD40, CD80, and CD86), the production of inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide, IL-12, IL-1ß, and TNF-α), and allogenic T cell activation capacity. SD also inhibited DC migration toward MIP-3ß by down-regulating CCR7 expression. SD attenuated LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling in DCs, but did not directly inhibit kinase activities of IRAK1, IRAK4, TAK1, or IKKß in enzymatic assays. SD did not inhibit LPS binding to myeloid differentiation protein-2, co-receptor of TLR4. SD increased the production of reactive oxygen species, Nrf-2, and heme oxygenase (HO)-1, which degrades the heme to immunosuppressive carbon monoxide and biliverdin, which may underlie the anti-inflammatory effects in SD-treated DCs. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these data suggest that SD suppresses LPS-induced activation of DCs through the induction of HO-1, but not by directly affecting Toll-like receptor 4 signaling.

Anti-inflammatory effects of methanol extract of Canarium lyi C.D. Dai & Yakovlev in RAW 264.7 macrophages and a murine model of lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury.

Canarium lyi C.D. Dai & Yakovlev (CL) is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. To the best of our knowledge, no studies on its anti-inflammatory effects have yet been reported. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of CL on inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mice. CL attenuated the production of LPS-stimulated inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, CL suppressed phosphorylation of the inhibitor κB-α (IκB-α), p38, c-Jun terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), as well as the translocation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit into the nucleus. For the in vivo efficacy, the effect of CL on a mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury was assessed. CL treatment of the mice significantly inhibited the inflammatory cell recruitment and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). CL-treated mice also showed a marked inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and phosphorylation of IκB and p65. In addition, CL attenuated lung histopathological changes in LPS-induced ALI mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that CL is a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including pneumonia.

Bee venom inhibits growth of human cervical tumors in mice.

We studied whether bee venom (BV) inhibits cervical tumor growth through enhancement of death receptor (DR) expressions and inactivation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in mice. In vivo study showed that BV (1 mg/kg) inhibited tumor growth. Similar inhibitory effects of BV on cancer growth in primary human cervical cancer cells were also found. BV (1-5 µg/ml) also inhibited the growth of cancer cells, Ca Ski and C33Aby the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Agreed with cancer cell growth inhibition, expression of death receptors; FAS, DR3 and DR6, and DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including caspase-3 and Bax was concomitantly increased, but the NF-κB activity and the expression of Bcl-2 were inhibited by treatment with BV in tumor mice, human cancer cell and human tumor samples as well as cultured cancer cells. In addition, deletion of FAS, DR3 and DR6 by small interfering RNA significantly reversed BV-induced cell growth inhibitory effects as well as NF-κB inactivation. These results suggest that BV inhibits cervical tumor growth through enhancement of FAS, DR3 and DR6 expression via inhibition of NF-κB pathway.

Anti-inflammatory activities of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii extract through the inhibition of MMP-9 and AP-1 activation.

Physalis alkekengi has been traditionally used for the treatment of coughs, middle ear infections, and sore throats in Korea, Europe, and China. It exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. The anti-inflammatory effects of the P. alkekengi methanol extract (PA) and its molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully investigated. In the present study, the chromatogram of PA was established by UPLC analysis. The anti-inflammatory effects of PA were also investigated using murine microphage cell lines, RAW 264.7 cells, and a murine model of OVA induced asthma. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, PA reduced the MMP-9 expression with decreases in the production of nitric oxide, inteleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Furthermore, PA suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPKs, which resulted in the inhibition of AP-1 activation. These effects of PA were consistent with the results of the in vivo experiment. PA-treated mice significantly inhibited inflammatory cell counts and cytokine production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and airway-hyperresponsiveness in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. PA treated mice also showed a marked inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and MMP-9 expression. In conclusion, our results suggest that PA may be a valuable therapeutic material in treating various inflammatory diseases, including allergic asthma.