Cryptotanshinone inhibits LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators via TLR4 and TAK1 signaling pathway.

Cryptotanshinone (CTN), one of the major constituents of tanshinones, was investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. CTN inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) production, as well as expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Since CTN was considered as inhibiting LPS-triggered phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, we consequently evaluated the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and CD14, as well as phosphorylation of TGF-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1). CTN reduced the expression of CD14 and TLR4, and suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of TAK1. Furthermore, CTN significantly increased the survival rate against LPS challenge in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice, which was in line with in vitro results. These results suggested that CD14/TLR4 and TAK1 might be the potential molecular targets for addressing the protective effects of CTN on LPS-induced inflammatory effects in macrophages.

Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa reverses acute alcohol-induced liver steatosis through blocking sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 maturation.

This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effects of Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa (GM) on acute alcohol-induced fatty liver. Mice were treated with ethanol (5 g/kg of body weight) by gavage every 12 h for a total of three doses to induce acute fatty liver. Methanol extract of GM (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) or silymarin (100 mg/kg) was gavaged simultaneously with ethanol for three doses. GM administration significantly reduced the increases in serum ALT and AST levels, the serum and hepatic triglyceride levels, at 4 h after the last ethanol administration. GM was also found to prevent ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and necrosis, as indicated by liver histopathological studies. Additionally, GM suppressed the elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, restored the glutathione (GSH) levels, and enhanced the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities. The concurrent administration of GM efficaciously abrogated cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) induction. Moreover, GM significantly reduced the nuclear translocation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (nSREBP-1) in ethanol-treated mice. These data indicated that GM possessed the ability to prevent ethanol-induced acute liver steatosis, possibly through blocking CYP2E1-mediated free radical scavenging effects and SREBP-1-regulated fatty acid synthesis. Especially, GM may be developed as a potential therapeutic candidate for ethanol-induced oxidative damage in liver.