Sophora flavescens Aiton methanol extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects via reduction of Src kinase phosphorylation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sophora flavescens Aiton (Family: Leguminosae), an herbal plant, has been used in East Asian home remedies for centuries for treating ulcers, skin burns, fevers, and inflammatory disorders. In addition, the dried root of S. flavescens was also applied for antipyretic, analgesic, antihelmintic, and stomachic uses. AIM OF STUDY: Nonetheless, how this plant can show various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory responses was not fully elucidated. In this study, therefore, we aimed to investigate the curative effects of S. flavescens on inflammation and its molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For reaching this aim, various in vitro and in vivo experimental models with LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells, HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcer, and LPS-triggered lung injury conditions were employed and anti-inflammatory activity of S. flavescens methanol extract (Sf-ME) was also tested. Fingerprinting profile of Sf-ME was identified via LC-MS analysis. Its anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism was also examined by immunoblotting analysis. RESULTS: Nitric oxide production and mRNA expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1ß, and TNF-α were decreased. Additionally, phosphorylation of Src in the signaling cascade was decreased, and activities of the transcriptional factor NF-κB were reduced as determined by a luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, in vivo, gastritis and lung injury lesions were attenuated by Sf-ME. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these findings suggest that Sf-ME could be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent via suppression of Src kinase activity and regulation of IL-1ß secretion.

Hymenocallis littoralis ameliorates inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and HCl/EtOH-induced gastric mucosal injury via targeting the MAPK pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hymenocallis littoralis (Jacq.) Salisb. Also known as Pancratium littorale Jacq. And Hymenocallis panamensis Lindl., is a medicinal plant from the family Amarylideceae used for emetic and wound healing and has manifested anti-neoplastic, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this paper is to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential and molecular mechanism of H. littoralis against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages and in vivo HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mucosal injury models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators was evaluated by Griess assay, RT-PCR, and real-time PCR. Moreover, the relevant proteins of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including ERK, JNK, p38, c-Jun, and c-Fos were detected using immunoblotting. RESULTS: We demonstrated that H. littoralis prominently dampened production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-, poly I:C-, or pam3CSK-stimulated RAW264.7 cells; down-regulated the expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase; and markedly attenuated the luciferase activities of AP-1 reporter promoters. Moreover, H. littoralis administration prominently downregulated c-Fos and c-Jun phosphorylation as well as JNK1, ERK2, and MKK7 overexpression in HEK 293T cells. Furthermore, H. littoralis displayed anti-inflammatory effects in the HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mice model. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulatively, these results demonstrated that H. littoralis exerts eminently anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in vitro and in HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis mice models in vivo. These activities could be attributed to its modulatory effects on the MAPK signaling pathway.

A Longitudinal Study of Adult Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia over 11 Years in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The temporal changes in the Staphylococcus aureus genotypes causing S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) and the corresponding clinical changes over the last decade in South Korea are rarely investigated. METHODS: A longitudinal study of adult SAB patients was conducted in a large referral hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Adult monomicrobial SAB patients were enrolled between August 2008 and December 2018. Genotyping was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal protein A (spa) typing. Trends in changes were identified by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 1782 adult SAB patients, the blood isolates of 1,778 (99.8%) and 1,634 (91.7%) were determined to be MLST and spa type, respectively. ST5 (-2.626%/year) and ST239 (-0.354%/year) decreased during the study period (P < 0.001 for both), but ST72 (2.009%/yr)-and ST8 (0.567%/yr) increased (P < 0.001 for both). The most common genotype was changed from ST5 in 2008 (44.9%) to ST72 in 2018 (36.3%). Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive spa-t008-MRSA (USA300) was found in 28.6%. Central venous catheter (CVC)-related SAB (-2.440%/yr) and persistent SAB (-1.016%/yr) decreased, but mortality and recurrence rates were unchanged. CONCLUSION: Over the last decade, the hospital clones ST5 and ST239 have been replaced by community genotype ST72. This was associated with decreased CVC-related and persistent SAB. Increased USA300 was observed in community and hospital settings. Further research is required to identify the reasons for the ST72 epidemic and predict the impending epidemic of ST8 strains, including USA300.

Bactericidal effect of extracts and metabolites of Robinia pseudoacacia L. on Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis causing dental plaque and periodontal inflammatory diseases.

The mouth cavity hosts many types of anaerobic bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, which cause periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial potential of extracts of Robinia pseudoacacia and its different fractions, as well as some of its natural compounds against oral pathogens and a nonpathogenic reference bacteria, Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity of the crude extract and the solvent fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol) of R. pseudoacacia were evaluated against S. mutans, P. gingivalis and E. coli DH5α by standard micro-assay procedure using conventional sterile polystyrene microplates. The results showed that the crude extract was more active against P. gingivalis (100% growth inhibition) than against S. mutans (73% growth inhibition) at 1.8 mg/mL. The chloroform and hexane fractions were active against P. gingivalis, with 91 and 97% growth inhibition, respectively, at 0.2 mg/mL. None of seven natural compounds found in R. pseudoacacia exerted an antibacterial effect on P. gingivalis; however, fisetin and myricetin at 8 µg/mL inhibited the growth of S. mutans by 81% and 86%, respectively. The crude extract of R. pseudoacacia possesses bioactive compounds that could completely control the growth of P. gingivalis. The antibiotic activities of the hexane and chloroform fractions suggest that the active compounds are hydrophobic in nature. The results indicate the effectiveness of the plant in clinical applications for the treatment of dental plaque and periodontal inflammatory diseases and its potential use as disinfectant for various surgical and orthodontic appliances.

Anti-obesity effect of (8-E)-niizhenide, a secoiridoid from Ligustrum lucidum, in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

The effect of the extract of Ligustrumn lucidum fruits (LFE) and its major secoiridoid (LFS), (8-E)-nüzhenide, on obesity was investigated using high fat-diet (HFD)-induced C58BL/6J obese mice. LFE and LFS were administered at the doses of 300 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg, respectively, for 6 weeks. The anti-obesity activity was evaluated by measuring body weight, epididymal fat and metabolic plasma parameters. On Day 42, the body weight of the LFS-treated group was significantly lower compared with the HFD-treated group. Body weight gain was also reduced by 23.2% and 32.0% in the LFE- and LFS-treated groups, respectively, compared with the HFD group. In addition, the weight of the epididymal fat in the mice was significantly decreased in the HFD+LFS group. The food efficiency ratios (FERs) of the HFD+LFE and HFD+LFS groups were also lower compared with the HFD group with the same food intake. Metabolic parameters that had increased in the HFD group were decreased in the HFD+LFE and HFD+LFS groups. In particular, the increased triglyceride values were significantly reduced in the HFD+LFS group. These results show that treatment with LFE and LFS decreased HFD-induced obesity, mainly by improving metabolic parameters, such as fats and triglycerides. Therefore, LFE and LFS have potential benefits in regulation of obesity.

Antibacterial effect of crude extract and metabolites of Phytolacca americana on pathogens responsible for periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries.

BACKGROUND: The oral cavity is the store house of different species of microorganisms that are continuously engaged in causing diseases in the mouth. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial potential of crude extracts of the aerial parts of Phytolacca americana and its natural compounds against two oral pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans, which are primarily responsible for periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries, as well as a nonpathogenic Escherichia coli. METHODS: Crude extract and fractions from the aerial parts of P. americana (0.008-1.8 mg/mL) were evaluated for their potential antibacterial activity against two oral disease causing microorganisms by micro-assays. The standard natural compounds present in P. americana, kaempferol, quercetin, quercetin 3-glucoside, isoqueritrin and ferulic acid, were also tested for their antibacterial activity against the pathogens at 1-8 µg/mL. RESULTS: The crude extract was highly active against P. gingivalis (100% growth inhibition) and moderately active against S. mutans (44% growth inhibition) at 1.8 mg/mL. The chloroform and hexane fraction controlled the growth of P. gingivalis with 91% and 92% growth inhibition at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL, respectively. Kaempferol exerted antibacterial activity against both the pathogens, whereas quercetin showed potent growth inhibition activity against only S. mutans in a concentration dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The crude extract, chloroform fraction, and hexane fraction of P. americana possesses active natural compounds that can inhibit the growth of oral disease causing bacteria. Thus, these extracts have the potential for use in the preparation of toothpaste and other drugs related to various oral diseases.

Cognitive Enhancing and Neuroprotective Effect of the Embryo of the Nelumbo nucifera Seed.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ENS on cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine and its potential neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cell and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. ENS (3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg), scopolamine (1 mg/kg), and donepezil (1 mg/kg) were administered to mice during a test period. Scopolamine impaired memory and learning in a water maze test and a passive avoidance test. The neuroprotective effect of ENS (10 and 100 µg/mL) was investigated on glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cells by MTT assay. We investigated acetylcholinesterase inhibition in hippocampus and antioxidant activity, ROS levels, and Ca(2+) influx in HT22 cells to elucidate the potential mechanisms of ENS. We found that ENS significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment and inhibited AChE activity in hippocampus. In vitro, ENS showed potent neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in the HT22 cell. In addition, ENS induced a decrease in ROS production and intercellular Ca(2+) accumulation and showed DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging activity. In conclusion, ENS showed both a memory improving effect and a neuroprotective effect. Our results indicate that ENS may be of use in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.

Chemical constituents from Nelumbo nucifera leaves and their anti-obesity effects.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae), commonly called lotus, is widely distributed throughout Eastern Asia. It has been used for food and medicine for a long time. A phytochemical investigation of N. nucifera leaves led to the isolation of 13 megastigmanes (1-13), including a new megastigmane, nelumnucifoside A (1), and a new eudesmane sesquiterpene, nelumnucifoside B (14), eight alkaloids (15-22), and 11 flavonoids (23-33). Their chemical structures were determined based on spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectrometry. The relative and absolute stereochemistry of the compounds was determined by NOESY and CD spectrometry, respectively. Compounds 19 and 22 significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase, whereas compounds 15 and 16 showed a strong inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, the leaves of N. nucifera have potential as an anti-obesity agent by inhibiting pancreatic lipase and adipocyte differentiation.

A new neuroprotective compound of Ligustrum japonicum leaves.

A new secoiridoid glycoside characterized as (8 Z)-nuezhenide A along with five known glycosides, (8 E)-nuezhenide, (8 Z)-nuezhenide, oleonuezhenide, osmanthuside B and osmanthuside D, were isolated from the n-BuOH fraction of Ligustrum japonicum leaves. All six compounds significantly protected human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells from 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity.

Anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-amnesic activities of a pregnane glycoside, cynatroside B, from Cynanchum atratum.

We previously reported that seven pregnane glycosides including cynatroside B isolated from the roots of Cynanchum atratum significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. In the present study, we have characterized the mode of AChE inhibition of cynatroside B, the most potent of these isolated pregnane glycoside inhibitors. We have also examined the anti-amnesic activity of cynatroside B. Cynatroside B inhibited AChE activity in a dose-dependent manner and its IC50 value was 3.6 microM. The mode of AChE inhibition by cynatroside B was reversible and non-competitive in nature. Moreover, cynatroside B (1.0 mg/kg body weight i.p.) significantly ameliorated memory impairments induced in mice by scopolamine (1.0 mg/kg body weight s.c.) as measured in the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tests. We suggest, therefore, that cynatroside B has both anti-AChE and anti-amnesic activities that may ultimately hold significant therapeutic value in alleviating certain memory impairments observed in Alzheimer's disease.